As I was spending time walking and praying tonight I really felt God press this question on my heart, “Is what you’re living for worth Christ dying for?”
Ofcourse, I’ve answered this question what seems like a 100x in the past- but each time God asks me to do a “self-examination” of my life I feel as if its for the first time. Like He were asking me, “Joe, do you still have your first love? Is your lamp burning bright for me? Have you loved me with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And your neighbor as yourself?”
During this time of heart searching and Holy Ghost examination I never sense a false “spirit/attitude” of condemnation or guilt but rather a genuine call of holiness and a spur to “walk worthy of my calling.” Because the Bible says, “take heed when you think you stand, lest you fall.”
Also regarding leaders, James said that we who teach will be “judged more strictly” and the author of Hebrews wrote that all leaders “will give an account for their work among the sheep.” And Paul said that all our works “will be tested with fire” and what remains will be for God’s glory.
Thus, I believe I answered the question with a honest heart today- I am ready to meet Jesus and stand before Him and have my life tested with the fire of His holiness for all to see (laid bare before God and man). This is only because of Christ and His righteousness that I stand both forgiven and wholly sanctified in my body, soul, and spirit.
Now that I have been honest with God and my life, as a servant leader, I would sincerely ask all who read this to do the same. May you not be ashamed or shrink back when your life is judged- may what you’re living for now, be worth in eternity what Christ died for.
2 Corinthians 5:9-10, “9 So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”
