“I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
After Saul met the Lord Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, three consuming desires took hold of him and dominated him the rest of his days on this earth. He wanted to know Christ, to live like Christ, and to make Christ known to others. When these things really get hold of an individual, certain things will be true.
1. WE WILL HAVE COMPASSION FOR THE LOST
When Jesus saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd (see Matthew 9:36). They needed a Savior, a Shepherd, a Lord, a Master, and Christ longs to be all of these and more to every soul. We hear Jesus say, “The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Jesus loved the lost, and if He truly lives in us, we will also love the lost and seek their salvation. The late C. H. Spurgeon said, “Every Christian is either a missionary or an impostor.” Strong words, but if Jesus lives in us, we too will care about the lost of this world.
2. WE WILL HAVE SYMPATHY FOR THE SORROWING
Jesus had great sympathy for the sorrowing. When the Lord saw the widow of Nain following the casket that contained the dead body of her only son, His soul went out to her in deepest sympathy, and He restored her son to life (see Luke 7:11-17). When He saw the extreme sorrow of Mary and Martha weeping over the grave of their dead brother, He wept with them and then called Lazarus out from the tomb to live again (see John 11:1-45). If Christ lives in us, we will have sympathy for the sorrowing and seek to comfort them.
3. WE WILL DESIRE TO PLEASE THE FATHER
It must have been the most earnest desire of Jesus to please the Father always and in all things. We hear Him saying, “I do always those things that please Him” (John 8:29b). He pleased the Father in His attitude and in His actions. In fact, on several occasions, the Father testified to that fact (see Matthew 3:17; 17:5). If Christ lives in us, we will strive earnestly, and always, to please the Father. We will live to please Him, and serve to please Him. A sign in the lodge at the Wilds Camp reads, “Just two choices on the shelf; pleasing God or pleasing self.” If Christ lives in us, we will desire to please the Father.
4. WE WILL GIVE OUR BEST IN SERVICE
Jesus gave His best in service every day for the good of people. He lived for others and served for the good of man. Jesus said, “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). Now, if He lives in us, we will be willing to give our best in service for the advance of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and His church. He is worthy of our best. He deserves our best. Let us see to it that we give of our best to the Master!