Those who desire to make a good showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised, simply so that they will not be persecuted for the cross of Christ. For those who are circumcised do not even keep the Law themselves, but they desire to have you circumcised so that they may boast in your flesh. But may it never be that I would boast, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation. (Galatians 6:12-15 [NASB])
Becoming a Christian isn't about getting a better life here
on earth-no pain, more things, better people in life. Becoming a Christian
isn't about being able to stand-out in a group as one holier than others.
Becoming a Christian means being so identified with Jesus
Christ through His death and resurrection that we do not take notice of
ourselves, but only of Him.
Our sole purpose as Christians is to bring glory to God. Our
foundation is Jesus Christ and a personal devotion to Him. If we are truly
identified with Christ, we will continually seek God, His presence, and His
will and will strive with our whole being and His power to obey Him.
Nothing about being a Christian is about ourselves. It's all
about God, bringing Him glory no matter the cost to ourselves.
What have you let become your focus in life? Job, car,
family, status, or the way people look at you? All those things will fall away
and you will eventually die.
Our focus should always be God and doing His will to bring
Him glory. God lasts forever. Nothing else will.
Be honest, what is your focus now, this Christmas, and for
the next year?
