People live for various reasons.  Each of us lives for one reason or the other. It has been said that some “live to eat when they should eat to live.” None of us lives just to be living, or just to experience life, or only to die, as some have suggested.  We may say we do, but in reality, this is not true.  As we consider our lives, what is the end of our desires? What do we hope to accomplish in this life? In other words, what do we live for? The Apostle Paul said of himself, “For me to life is Christ” (Philippians 1:21). In respect to this thought of Paul, what would we place at the conclusion of the statement, “For me to live is…”?  In this article, we want to consider some things to see if we agree with Paul, “For me to live is Christ.”

SOME PEOPLE LIVE FOR PLEASURE – In other words, “For me to live is pleasure.” Pleasure was the “god” of the prodigal son (Luke 15:13).It is evident that at this point in his life he lived for no other purpose than pleasure.  It cannot be denied that pleasure is offered by the world.The writer of the book of Ecclesiastes taught of this in Ecclesiastes 11:9a where he wrote, “Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes,. . .” However, the pleasure that is offered by this world is a temporary one (Ecclesiastes 11:9b; Hebrews 11:24, 25). This is not to suggest that we should not have a pleasurable life. However, it is to say, “For me to live is pleasure” is wrong.

SOME PEOPLE LIVE FOR POPULARITY – Or, “For me to live is popularity.”Popularity was the “god” of Pilate when it came to his dealing with Jesus (Mark 15:15).As with pleasure, it cannot be denied that popularity is offered by the world (Matthew 27:17, 18).  However, like pleasure, the popularity that is offered by the world is a temporary one (Acts 12:20-23).Once again, we are not saying it is wrong to be popular.However, it is wrong to assume the attitude of “For me to live is popularity.”

SOME PEOPLE LIVE FOR POSSESSIONS – In other words, “For me to live is my possessions.”Possessions were the “god” of the rich fool (Luke 12:19).His possessions were the very reason that he lived, so that he might add to that which was already in his possession.Once again, possessions are offered by the world (Luke 12:16, 17). Nevertheless, as with the other points considered, possessions are only temporary (Luke 12:15, 20; Proverbs 1:31). They are often here today and gone tomorrow.Here, as well as the other points, we want it clear that we are not saying that it is wrong to have possessions.However, we are saying, it is wrong to have the idea, “For me to live is my possessions.”

SOME PEOPLE LIVE FOR POWER – In other words, “For me to life is power.”  Power was the “god” of Nimrod (Genesis 10:8, 9).As with all the other points we have considered in this article, it cannot be denied that worldly power is available to those who seek such (Daniel 4:30).However, this power is only temporary (Daniel 4:31-33).In addition, as with the other points we have considered, power does not necessarily have to be wrong.  However, to live for power and nothing else is contrary to the Scriptures.

Many other things could be said here, but these should suffice. As children of God, our lives should be lived in service to Him (Romans 12:1). Each of us should be able to truthfully say, “For me to live is Christ.” If anything stands between us and our being able to say this, let us get rid of it while we can (Matthew 6:33).

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