Sunday, September 7, 2014

HYMN: I Gave My Life for Thee / What Have You Given Back?

Last Sunday, my husband preached at our church to fill in while the Pastor was out of town. He spoke about the question, "Why are we here?" In other words, what is the meaning of life? Is it meaningless?

The answers can be found by looking into God's Holy Word. Take a look at these verses: 

1 Corinthians 8:6 - yet for us there is [but] one God, the Father, from whom are all things, and we [exist] for Him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we [exist] through Him. (NASB)

Colossians 1:16 - For by Him all things were created, [both] in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created by Him and for Him. (NASB)

1 Corinthians 10:31 - Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (NASB)

Ephesians 2:10 - For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (NIV)

2 Corinthians 5:15 - and He died for all, that they who live should no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. (NASB)

These are just a few of the verses that actually tell us what our purpose is here on this earth. It really can't get any clearer. We are here for God's purposes. We aren't here to just have fun, live for ourselves, then die and no longer exist. We are meant to worship our Lord, serve Him with gladness, and glorify Him in all things. THAT is the meaning of life! So, no... if you believe in what the Bible says, life is not meaningless.

In that case, here's another question:  What are you DOING for God? How are you living your life? What have you given back to Him for all the gifts He has brought to you? Think about the ultimate gift He gave... Our Heavenly Father not only created us, His unfading love also sent Jesus to DIE for us. Why? Because, when sin entered the world, we were separated from God, and He hated that! So, He sent Jesus to provide a way for reconciliation to take place. That means, because of the ultimate gift of Jesus, we can now have a relationship with God. (For more information about this, click over to one of my informational pages about WHY WE NEED SALVATION. My husband gave a more detailed explanation of it there.) Have you placed your faith in Jesus and what He did for you on the cross? If not, don't put it off any longer. God gave the ultimate gift for YOU, and He's waiting for you to accept it.

The hymn we sang at the end of the message on Sunday gave a good summary of all of this. It was written in 1858 by Frances Havergal, an English poet and hymn writer. I like this hymn because it reminds me to ask the question, "If God gave the ultimate gift to me, what am I giving back to Him?"


Words by Frances R. Havergal
Music by Philip P. Bliss
 
I gave My life for thee,
My precious blood I shed,
That thou might'st ransomed be,
And quickened from the dead;
I gave, I gave My life for thee,
What hast thou giv'n for Me?

My Father's house of light,
My glory-circled throne
I left for earthly night,
For wand'rings sad and lone;
I left, I left it all for thee,
Hast thou left aught for Me?

I suffered much for thee,
More than thy tongue can tell,
Of bitterest agony,
To rescue thee from hell;
I've borne, I've borne it all for thee,
What hast thou borne for Me?

And I have brought to thee,
Down from My home above,
Salvation full and free,
My pardon and My love;
I bring, I bring rich gifts to thee,
What hast thou brought to Me?

 

3 comments:

  1. This was a nice read and a timely reminder that we all have a purpose even the disabled and that is to worship our Creator. Also a reminder of what we need to be doing and concentrating on. Then everything else will fall into place! Thanks for sharing this on a Sunday morning.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for your kind words, Sylvia. Have a blessed Sunday.

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