Following Jesus Even When It Doesn't Add UpSample

A Different Measurement

Normally, we live in a world where if we do this, we’ll get that. 1 + 1 = 2. But God has designed the world in such a way that there’s room for Him to be generous with things like grace and forgiveness. There’s room for folks whose lives seem to be adding up to nothing to be given everything. Insignificant statistics like one sheep, one widow or one lost person in a crowd become huge in the mathematics of Jesus.

What Jesus was trying to convey to those he taught is his Father’s heart: a willingness to risk everything for one who is lost.

On the other hand, the mathematics or formulas of man give more respect and worth to the rich and famous of the world. In the math of Jesus, these folks receive no higher value whatsoever, even taking a back seat to those considered ‘least’ in our world.

God’s ways are not our ways. As 1 Samuel 16:7 says, "The Lord doesn’t see things the way you see them. People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."

The apostle Paul had this to say in a letter to one of the churches:

"…God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important." – 1 Corinthians 1:27-28

Once again, the math of Jesus seems to be a direct contradiction to our world's mathematical system.

If we’re all honest, we wake up each morning wondering what the day has in store. Will there be any surprises? Who will I talk to? Will anything out of the ordinary take place at work? Will I be happy? Sad? Angry? Annoyed? Depressed? Bored? Are we pessimistic or optimistic about what lies ahead after taking that first step out of bed?

Jesus tells us in John 10:10 (emphasis mine), “I have come that they may have LIFE, and have it to the FULL…”

The question we each should be asking ourselves is, “Am I truly living life to the fullest as Jesus intended?” 

We hear hundreds of messages each day about what it means to live life to the fullest. From our coworkers to our neighbors, we get advice. Our televisions seem to have an abundance of “great ideas” in attaining a full life. Music artists give us their understanding of life to the fullest in their cleverly crafted lyrics. There’s certainly no shortage of books and magazines with the latest, greatest formulas and techniques in helping you reach your full life.

Let’s practice these refreshing teachings of Jesus and watch Him bring life in all its fullness.

This plan has been an excerpt from the book Forgiveness Formula: Finding Lasting Freedom in Christ by CJ & Shelley Hitz.

Reflection:

How would you define a full life? Begin carefully following Jesus through the four gospels of the New Testament in order to seek after the “life to the fullest” he offers.