What are you looking for, what is it that you want out of this life, what are you hoping to accomplish, to achieve, what mark, as it is said, do you want to leave on this planet? I would ask you to think about a person from the 1400’s and tell me what achievements he accomplished that are still held in high esteem today, or pick a different era, if you choose, pick any man who deeds are still spoken of by all today.
If you are saved by the grace of God then the name of Jesus is the only one that can hold all of these credentials, these trophies of time passing with remembrance, and so, if you are attempting to live a humble and obedient life for His glory, then what you are looking for in this life is for God to be glorified, the name of Jesus Christ to be lifted up in your life. Well and good. Now, how are you doing that?
Here is one of the most obvious questions that anyone can ask of someone who says they are a Christian, and yet for many it seems to be a great stumbling block to them, they falter with their answer, they search for the proper words, and inevitably they will at many times simply see you as too prying, as one who is not looking to assist them with their growth, but as a contentious, judgmental individual. “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” (1 Peter 3:15)
You could simply ask them the opening question to this short letter, what are you looking for in this life and not receive any disgruntled answers but add in there “How is the Lord using you for His glory,” and you will more than likely be left alone in a few minutes.
To give an account for the reason of our faith should be quite simple, because He who first loved us (1 John 4:19) went to the cross for us, for me, and I owe Him everything, but the proof of that statement must be followed with how is He using you then. “Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.” (Matt. 7:20) And “In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.” (Romans 2:16) Those fruits of the Spirit are the causation of the works that we do by the Spirit of God for His glory, without them, the first question is meaningless. “Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.” (James 2:18) Here is where good intentions are the only proof, here is where an uplifting emotional state is thought to be proof of salvation by those who will not answer the questions, and here is where you will meet those who are deceiving themselves.
To “feel saved” is not to be saved, without the ability to say, “This is how the Lord Almighty has used this humble servant of His,” that man is not saved. “I go to church,” “I read the Bible,” “I am polite to all I meet,” these are not the works of the Spirit of God, but the deeds of one who has a good moral character, who has good intentions, but there is not one word written in the Book that will be opened when his life is reviewed. (Rev. 20:15)
What are you looking for? If it truly is for God to be glorified, then you are seeking His face every day, desiring for Him to show you how to accomplish that, and in faith, moving forward as best as you know how to do that. Then, when someone asks you those questions, someone who is testing the Spirits (1 John 4:1) as we are commanded to do, your answer will glorify the Lord Jesus Christ, and your mark will be left where it should be, at the feet of our Lord.
