Sunday, March 14, 2010

I Want What I Want

I Want What I Want
March 1, 2010
John 21:18 "someone. . .will lead you where you do not want to go "


You have rights. As a human being, you certainly have many rights. Here in America, we say that every human has certain inalienable rights, like the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Even God gives you certain rights that He will never take away, like the right to your own free will, to serve Him or not. Yep, you got rights, alright, and who best to assert your own rights than yourself. It's up to you to stand up for yourself, make sure no one takes away your rights, those things that you want and deserve. Let no one take them away from you, at least that's what everyone says. You certainly have that option, to want what you want and not let anyone take it away. Yes, you certainly have the option to pursue what you want, but God forgive you if you actually do. As Christians, we have many, many rights, but one thing is sure, if we choose to follow Christ, it is our obligation to lay those rights, those wants, down.

Once you become a Christian, you confess that Jesus is Lord of your life. That Lordship is a governing or rulership over your life. You get to lay down your life for Him, so He may use it as He wishes. This creates a tug-of-war on your life. You, as a human, constantly want what you want. But oftentimes, this 'want' is in opposition to what God wants for you. If we live our lives holding onto our wants, then Christ has a more difficult time actually using us the way HE WANTS to use us. I may have my own wants, desires, and dreams, but if I choose to serve the Lord, then I have to lay those down, realizing I may NEVER attain my own wants, desires, and dreams. Instead, I get to fulfill GOD'S wants, desires, and dreams for my life.

This is not actually pleasing to the ear, to hear that you may never have what you want. You might want to be rich and famous, but that may not be what God wants for you. This only creates a problem if you never lay down that want. If you hold onto it, fighting for it every chance you get, you end up living your life in rebellion against God; He can't use a rebellious person. The only use He has for a rebellious person, is. . . well, let's just say He has NO use for that person.

Peter, the great apostle, had to learn this lesson the hard way. He told Christ that he would follow Jesus anywhere, laying down his own wants. But Jesus warned him in John 21:18-19. Jesus spoke directly to Peter and his wants.
Jesus said, "Feed my sheep. I tell you the truth, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go." Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. Then he said to him, "Follow me!"

This passage represents the two different stages in Peter's life; his younger years represented a life before he began following Jesus, and his later years represented a life of following Jesus. Jesus was aware that Peter would not want what Jesus wanted, but He knew Peter would lay those down to follow Him. Christian, your life before Christ meant doing what you wanted, but now, you get to lay that down and do what HE wants. God doesn't really care if you want what you want. He is interested in you laying down those wants for Him and His glory.

1. What is it that you want in life?
2. Does your 'want' line up with what God wants for you?
3. How can you lay down your wants, in order to truly follow Christ?

Add. Scriptures for Study: Is 55:8, Matt 10:38, Lk 9:23-24, Lk 14:25-33, Jn 12:24, Rom 6:11-14

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