Giving: Your Life

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ Who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, Who loved me and gave himself for me.

Galatians 2:20 (ESV)

We were buried, therefore, with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.

Romans 6: 4-5 (ESV)

For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Philippians 1:21 (ESV)

To live we must die. In death, we will live. These words are foolishness to worldly men.

  • They’re battle cries to Muslim jihadists.

  • They’re overlooked by cultural Christians.

  • They’re forced upon persecuted Christians,

  • And they’re sobering to the rest of us.

  • As well they should be.

To consider dying to selfishness and practicing righteousness is HARD. As well it should be.

  • We must abandon our rusty duties.

  • We must relinquish our comfy cozies.

  • We must walk in Spirit, in Word, in faith,

  • And be all about our Father's business.

  • As well we must be.

(Less I justly be called a hypocrite, I’m not yet the Christian I'd like to be. But I'm becoming…)

Actors, models, and talent for Christ:

You’re examples for me and countless others.

  • You step beyond walls mislabeled as “church”.

  • You rise above rules mislabeled as “truth”.

  • You ARE the church and you carry the Truth!

You redefine what success really means.

  • It’s not in choosing careers based on money.

  • It’s not in showing the stuff we can buy.

  • It’s not in doing what’s comfortable.

You know success is following Jesus and never forgetting His DISCOMFORT: namely, a tortuous crucifixion.

In giving up what’s commonly called “safety”, you're stepping up on stages and platforms as gracious ambassadors for the King.

I know you face challenges. Still you go. Still you rise, shine, and give God the glory!

Can it be by giving up easy paths… (some) fans will follow on the narrow one? Can it be by pointing up to Jesus, fans will see the way, the truth, and the life? You better believe it. God does. (I do, too.)

Giving: Your Life (Part 15, Conclusion)

NOTE: God is my Ghostwriter. If what I write is good, it’s from God. You may see notes to 'Actors, Models & Talent for Christ.' If you think you're not in show business, think again. Shakespeare said, 'All the world's a stage and all its men and women merely players.’ Mostly true. But you're not merely players. You are messengers and ambassadors for the King of kings.

Carey Arban