“Go after a life of love as if your life depended on it—because it does.” 1 Corinthians 14:1, MSG
FACT: We have changed the meaning of the words “as if.” Today’s idiom is used as a jester of unbelief. “Are you getting that raise you wanted?” “As if…” sarcastically said, meaning that will never happen. Sometimes we use the words humorously to show that what you are about to say is the opposite of what you really think. But, for the most part, “as if” are words said to show that you do not believe something is possible.
Jesus changes everything. Jesus, sent from heaven to move into the neighborhood of humanity teaches us a new language. Jesus, who is the unchangeable, reliable Truth who never changes; changes everything about us—from the inside out!
When we believe, really believe in Jesus as the One who died and rose again to save us from our own sins, knowing He would remove them—new life begins for us! We begin His transform what we think, say, and do by the power and strength of God’s Holy Spirit who now lives deep within us.
Jesus says that with God all things are possible. That’s why with God and His love growing in us, we can now love as if our lives depended on it—because it does! He is Life! We help each other as if we needed the help ourselves—because we do! We live as if Jesus is always with us—because He is!
The closing words of the writer of Hebrews teaches us how to this “as if” life to the full in the Name of Jesus. Pay close attention, believe, pray, help, living life in Jesus Name. These precious words reveal the skills for living—God’s wisdom—transforming us day by day.
Hebrews 13, The Message
Jesus Doesn’t Change
13 1-4 Stay on good terms with each other, held together by love. Be ready with a meal or a bed when it’s needed. Why, some have extended hospitality to angels without ever knowing it! Regard prisoners as if you were in prison with them. Look on victims of abuse as if what happened to them had happened to you. Honor marriage, and guard the sacredness of sexual intimacy between wife and husband. God draws a firm line against casual and illicit sex.
5-6 Don’t be obsessed with getting more material things. Be relaxed with what you have. Since God assured us, “I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you,” we can boldly quote,
God is there, ready to help;
I’m fearless no matter what.
Who or what can get to me?
7-8 Appreciate your pastoral leaders who gave you the Word of God. Take a good look at the way they live, and let their faithfulness instruct you, as well as their truthfulness. There should be a consistency that runs through us all. For Jesus doesn’t change—yesterday, today, tomorrow, he’s always totally himself.
9 Don’t be lured away from him by the latest speculations about him. The grace of Christ is the only good ground for life. Products named after Christ don’t seem to do much for those who buy them.
10-12 The altar from which God gives us the gift of himself is not for exploitation by insiders who grab and loot. In the old system, the animals are killed and the bodies disposed of outside the camp. The blood is then brought inside to the altar as a sacrifice for sin. It’s the same with Jesus. He was crucified outside the city gates—that is where he poured out the sacrificial blood that was brought to God’s altar to cleanse his people.
13-15 So let’s go outside, where Jesus is, where the action is—not trying to be privileged insiders, but taking our share in the abuse of Jesus. This “insider world” is not our home. We have our eyes peeled for the City about to come. Let’s take our place outside with Jesus, no longer pouring out the sacrificial blood of animals but pouring out sacrificial praises from our lips to God in Jesus’ name.
* * *
16 Make sure you don’t take things for granted and go slack in working for the common good; share what you have with others. God takes particular pleasure in acts of worship—a different kind of “sacrifice”—that take place in kitchen and workplace and on the streets.
17 Be responsive to your pastoral leaders. Listen to their counsel. They are alert to the condition of your lives and work under the strict supervision of God. Contribute to the joy of their leadership, not its drudgery. Why would you want to make things harder for them?
18-21 Pray for us. We have no doubts about what we’re doing or why, but it’s hard going and we need your prayers. All we care about is living well before God. Pray that we may be together soon.
May God, who puts all things together,
makes all things whole,
Who made a lasting mark through the sacrifice of Jesus,
the sacrifice of blood that sealed the eternal covenant,
Who led Jesus, our Great Shepherd,
up and alive from the dead,
Now put you together, provide you
with everything you need to please him,
Make us into what gives him most pleasure,
by means of the sacrifice of Jesus, the Messiah.
All glory to Jesus forever and always!
Oh, yes, yes, yes.
22-23 Friends, please take what I’ve written most seriously. I’ve kept this as brief as possible; I haven’t piled on a lot of extras. You’ll be glad to know that Timothy has been let out of prison. If he leaves soon, I’ll come with him and get to see you myself.
24 Say hello to your pastoral leaders and all the congregations. Everyone here in Italy wants to be remembered to you.
25 Grace be with you, every one.
WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?
When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” (Rich young ruler episode) Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:25-26, NIV
It is God who puts our lives back together again and directs us back on the road to His best for His glory and our good. Believe, repent, and be saved for Life eternal. Surrender to His transforming work in us. God is God, we are not. Jesus saves us, we cannot save ourselves.
Grow in Truth. Trust and obey what He says. Help each other as if we were doing all for God in Jesus Name!
Lord,
Thank you for the help and wisdom of Hebrews to make your message clear about who you are with what pleases you. I love you, Lord, with all my heart, mind, and soul. So, continue to daily cleanse my heart, renew my mind, refresh my soul, and restore the joy and peace of your salvation work of transforming me to be all you created me to be…
In Jesus Name, Amen. Yes!
Daily Manna (Coffee with Jesus) 