Living in the United States of America is a blessing and a curse. On one hand, citizens of the United States are afforded many opportunities that non US citizens aren't, however, the culture within the US can easily make one self-centered: only concerned about 'me, myself and I.'
Christians are not to have such a mindset. The mindset Christians should have is spelled out in Matthew 22:37-40. It says.... "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind." As a Christian in today's American culture, it is not easy to obey this passage of scripture because it is counter-cultural! Nevertheless, it is vital that Christians take heed to this instruction. Why? A fruitful life from God's perspective, cannot be experienced apart from Him, and making Him a priority is the beginning of fruitfulness. When Christ is the center of your life, you can then begin to love others. Unfortunately, for many, themselves, other people, or their jobs are the center of their lives and not Jesus Christ. You can tell who/what is at the center of a person's life when trial and adversity comes. Jesus is either at the center, or he isn't. The old hymn encapsulates it well 'on Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand.' Scripture is clear that the Christian's priority ought to be loving and serving Jesus. Secondly, loving/knowing God (being in relationship with him, thinking about him, meditating on his word etc) empowers us to love others. (our neighbor - husband, wife, kids, friends, extended family members etc.) First John 4:8 says, whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. In other words, the result of knowing and being in relationship with God, who is a priority in your life, is LOVING OTHERS. If God is love, and God is in us, God's love should naturally exude from us.
Is living for Christ your priority? If not, I want to encourage you to make serving him your number one priority. In Mathew 10:39 Jesus says 'whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.' Don't be deceived, the big house, car, the dream job etc. is not living a spiritually fruitful life. Being a disciple of Jesus Christ and loving others unconditionally is truly living the fruitful life.
Is living for Christ your priority? If not, I want to encourage you to make serving him your number one priority. In Mathew 10:39 Jesus says 'whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.' Don't be deceived, the big house, car, the dream job etc. is not living a spiritually fruitful life. Being a disciple of Jesus Christ and loving others unconditionally is truly living the fruitful life.
