Will We Lay Down our Lives for Anybody?—R Fritz
Is there anybody in our lives that we would lay down our lives for? That is a question we should think about, it could be somebody we do not know about now, somebody you will know in our future. The second question I would ask is how far would we go? I have not given any thought to it either. John 15:12-13 says and this Jesus speaking “This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” I was talking to somebody about somebody else that I met, whom this person knew well. This person was telling me how good this second person was and how they would do anything for them. This second person put up a building and did not ask for anything in return. The first person I know told me that they did some things to help this second person, things that would require stepping out to save them. I did some praying and thinking about what the person I know did. He did what most people would not do. The next day, I told them what I thought. The person I know literally laid down his life for this person. I see a lot of things happen, as well as things God has me do. I asked this person why they did what they did. The person I know said this second person, whom they know, deserved the help. The person I know said that they knew I would not judge them. I also told them they were doing what God wanted or planned.
What we do not understand is that God uses people in a lot of different ways to fit our certain skills. We think God does things this certain way, but he chooses to do things in ways we do not understand. Isaiah 55:8-9 says, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Our knowledge or wisdom and our own thinking do not come close to what God’s wisdom is. I can tell everybody that I thought God would do what I was working on a certain way, but God did it his way. When I saw what happened, I was impressed. God does not do things the same way for similar situations.
The thing I ask all people is, are we really following Jesus, or only on our schedule? In other words, when we have time, we do what we need to do for Jesus; otherwise, we do what we need to personally do first. What I have seen is that when we follow Jesus, our schedule is known by God, there is no secret that God does not know, so if God wants us to do something, we are on God’s time. God’s time is God knowing our schedule and fitting in what God needs done all at once. Most people do not know about God’s time and how it works. Ecclesiastes 3:1,17 says, “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked: for there is a time there for every purpose and for every work.” God has a time for everything. Sometimes being on God’s time seems like it moves more slowly. Remember, God is in control of our lives if we let him. When I hear people tell me stories about health or other issues, I ask them if they are praying or talking to God, as the Holy Spirit lives in us; many times, they say no. They answer that they forget, when Jesus is first in our lives, how we would not be talking all day as we go. We forget all the benefits of choosing Jesus. Just being with us and not forsaking us is so important, as the Holy Spirit lives inside us as most people forget that. We forget when we have trouble, all we have to do is to call out his name, JESUS, and help is right there. God sent the Holy Spirit after Jesus died to be our Comforter and teach us all things. We are blessed beyond belief. I do not know if most people know that.
The Bible has the answer to most situations, but better yet, we have the Holy Spirit who has all the answers. Do we have a relationship with the Holy Spirit? What are the things that are holding us back from calling out to Jesus, because it would be us starting our relationship? I learned to ask questions of God and people, looking for answers because it makes people think about things that they have not thought about or things that they do not want to think about. The Holy Spirit speaks to us through our thoughts. John 16:13 says and this is Jesus’ speaking “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you unto all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” Conversation brings answers because if the people I ask questions to do not hear the answers from God, sometimes I do. We need to take care of our issues so we can help other people, because until we deal with our own issues, we will not want to or will not be able to fight the spiritual battle. I have gone through many issues that I had been battling and had to let the Holy Spirit help with the fight years ago. We are not going to overcome our issues unless we invite the Holy Spirit to help us.
It has been over twenty years since I dealt with over forty years of past life without God involved. God puts me through new things like being a head coach for a kids’ team. There is never a dull moment doing God’s work. People are looking for something to live for; we all have a responsibility to talk to and shine the light of Jesus through the Holy Spirit that lives in us. The Holy Spirit draws people to us to hear the truth. Seeing that we are different gives people hope that they can have what we have, Jesus, the light of the world.
There are so many people whom we need to show God’s love; sometimes we may have to lay down our lives. Let the Holy Spirit guide us in all things. God Bless.
