A life dedicated to the Lord Jesus does not mean a life of ease. There are challenges, tests, trials and battles that must be not only faced, but also overcome.
Serving God wholeheartedly means to surrender your life completely. To serve Him means to sacrifice your passions, your desires and the love for the fleeting things of this world. To dedicate yourself entirely to God means to have a life of constant battles, disappointments, misunderstandings and tears for those you don’t even know. If the common man goes through tough times, imagine those who serve God with all their hearts! These will face battles and live ina state of constant war with Satan and his entire kingdom.
The best example of this was the Lord Jesus Himself who, despite being the Son of God, was tempted many times, but overcame all situations because He would continually pray to the Father:
"Who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him…” (Hebrews 5.7)
And if the Son of God had to live in constant consecration, imagine those people who serve Him! They should live every moment seeking the Lord's help in order to overcome their times of struggle.
Those who are willing to serve Him wholeheartedly cannever prioritize themselves or their own future, but Christ, as He said:
"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." (Matthew 6:33)
It's like a soldier who goes to war. Being there in the frontlines, he has the obligation to be vigilant at all times,otherwise his life and the life of his comrades will be at risk. There is no vacation, day off or break, as the enemy does not have it either and is ready to attack at any moment.
In times of war, a country counts on their soldiers and expects them to fight with all their strength so victory can be achieved. The same happens with the Christian life. He who gave His life for the sinner, who suffered so that he could have eternal life, who saved him and called him, now needs him to reach out to other people who are still living according to the passions of the world.
Living a Christian life wholeheartedly is to place yourself in the presence of God so that His will may be done in this world.
Therefore, it is not enough to just go to church or even tobe a Christian in words or attitudes. Constant dedication is necessary, as it is written in His Word:
"Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect." (Matthew 5:48)
Bishop Carlos
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