It’s Just Common Sense…
“…sounds unreal and impracticable but except a man is dead to flesh and alive in Christ, he cannot receive this revelation of life, which leads to the manifestation of peace and Joy…”
As stated in John Piper’s Risk is Right, it’s just common sense, and not a decision that really requires a highly philosophical mind to let go of the “worldly treasures, pleasures, safety and security in order to follow Jesus wherever He leads. This is regardless of what it costs”. It does not really mean there is so much to sacrifice; buy just being smart will help to decide. Apostle Paul wrote to the Church in Philippi and expressed his candid opinion on following Jesus wholeheartedly and the gain that is directly inherent in doing this:
“According to my earnest expectation and hope that in nothing I shall be ashamed, but with all boldness, as always, so now also Christ will be magnified in my body, whether by life or by death. 21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” (Philippians 1:20-21).
Over the years, I have taken time to philosophise on this and I have come to understand that, due to the pressure of everyday life, we have unconsciously replaced Jesus and the divine mandate given to us, with a lot of perishable elements, which have indirectly distracted us from pursuing this unavoidable commitment. These distractions are highly temporal, but living for Jesus, by His grace today, determines our entrance into eternity and the everlasting life of peace, even from here on earth. This sounds unreal and impracticable but except a man is dead to flesh and alive in Christ, he cannot receive this revelation of life, which leads to the manifestation of peace and Joy in the Holy Ghost. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it dies, it bringeth forth much fruit.” (John 10:24).
The decision to Start Living in Christ Now
It is therefore very expedient for everyone who wants to begin to experience joy, fulfillment, satisfaction and peace, to say yes to Jesus and then the manifestation begins. As Paul stated in his letter to the Philippians, the only course that is worth living for is the course of the gospel of truth. All things have been created for God and anyone who takes the decision to conform to the plan of God automatically gains access to all. “All things have been created through him and for him…” (Colossians 1:16). The decision to wholly give-in to the divine governance of Jesus Christ is the most paramount of all life’s decisions and even a life-changing one. Why don’t you honour Him with the entirety of your life today and you can begin to have an entirely new experience? Then you are in for an experience of inexplicable peace, joy, and fulfillment, with a testimony of complete turnaround in all ramifications of your life.
