Porque somos hechura de Dios, creados en Cristo Jesús para buenas obras, las cuales Dios dispuso de antemano a fin de que las pongamos en práctica.
EFESIOS 2:10 (NVI)
Yo te he glorificado en la tierra, y he llevado a cabo la obra que me encomendaste.
JUAN 17:4 (NVI)
FUISTE PUESTO EN LA TIERRA PARA APORTAR ALGO.
No fuiste creado solo para consumir sus recursos: comer, respirar y ocupar un espacio. Dios te diseñó para que hicieras una diferencia con tu vida. Hay muchos libros que ofrecen consejo en cuanto a cómo obtener una mejor calidad de vida, lo cual por cierto no es la razón por la que Dios te hizo. Fuiste creado para añadir vida a la tierra, no para quitársela. Dios quiere que le des algo a cambio. Este es el cuarto propósito de Dios para tu vida, lo que llamamos tu «ministerio» o servicio. La Biblia nos da los detalles.
Creado para servir a Dios. La Biblia dice: «Dios nos creó para una vida de obras buenas, las cuales ha preparado para nosotros». Esas «buenas obras» son tu servicio. Siempre que sirves a otros de cualquier manera, verdaderamente estás sirviendo a Dios y cumpliendo uno de tus propósitos. En los dos capítulos siguientes verás cómo Dios te ha formado para este propósito.
Lo que Dios le dijo a Jeremías también es válido para ti: «Antes de formarte en el vientre, ya te había elegido; antes de que nacieras, ya te había apartado». Fuiste puesto en este planeta para cumplir una asignación especial.
Salvado para servir a Dios. La Biblia afirma: «Él es quién nos salvó y escogió para su obra santa, no porque lo merecíamos sino porque estaba en su plan». Dios te redimió para que hicieras su «obra santa». No eres salvo por tus buenas obras, sino para hacer buenas obras. En el reino de Dios, tienes un lugar, un propósito, un rol y una función que cumplir. Esto le da a tu vida un gran significado y valor.
Costó la propia vida de Jesús comprar tu salvación. La Biblia nos recuerda que fuimos «comprados por un precio». No servimos a Dios por miedo, culpa u obligación, sino con gozo y profunda gratitud por lo que ha hecho por nosotros.
Reflexión:
Si no amo a los demás ni deseo servirles, debería preguntarme si Cristo está presente realmente en mi vida.
Day 29 • Accepting Your Assignment
It is God himself who has made us what we are and given us new lives from Christ Jesus; and long ages ago he planned that we should spend these lives in helping others. EPHESIANS 2:10 (LB)
I glorified you on earth by completing down to the last detail what you assigned me to do. JOHN 17:4 (MSG)
YOU WERE PUT ON EARTH TO MAKE A CONTRIBUTION.
You weren’t created just to consume resources — to eat, breathe, and take up space. God designed you to make a difference with your life. While many best-selling books offer advice on how to “get” the most out of life, that’s not the reason God made you. You were created to add to life on earth, not just take from it. God wants you to give something back. This is God’s fourth purpose for your life, and it is called your “ministry,” or service. The Bible gives us the details.
You were created to serve God. The Bible says, “[God] has created us for a life of good deeds, which he has already prepared for us to do.” These “good deeds” are your service. Whenever you serve others in any way, you are actually serving God and fulfilling one of your purposes. In the next two chapters you will see how God has carefully shaped you for this purpose. What God told Jeremiah is also true for you: “Before I made you in your mother’s womb, I chose you. Before you were born, I set you apart for a special work.” You were placed on this planet for a special assignment.
You were saved to serve God. The Bible says, “It is he who saved us and chose us for his holy work, not because we deserved it but because that was his plan.” God redeemed you so you could do his “holy work.” You’re not saved by service, but you are saved for service. In God’s kingdom, you have a place, a purpose, a role, and a function to fulfill. This gives your life great significance and value.
It cost Jesus his own life to purchase your salvation. The Bible reminds us, “God paid a great price for you. So use your body to honor God.” We don’t serve God out of guilt or fear or even duty, but out of joy, and deep gratitude for what he’s done for us. We owe him our lives. Through salvation our past has been forgiven, our present is given meaning, and our future is secured. In light of these incredible benefits Paul concluded, “Because of God’s great mercy . . . Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service.”
Reflection:
If I have no love for others, no desire to serve others, I should question whether Christ is really in my life.
