What does it mean to be on the Jesus way? How should your life look like? The important thing here is to get your faith applied and lived. It’s not enough to agree with the message, we need to put it in action. It’s not something difficult. Actually, a God-loyal life is very simple but the benefits are out of this world.

A God-loyal life keeps you on track;
sin dumps the wicked in the ditch.

A pretentious, showy life is an empty life;
a plain and simple life is a full life.
(Proverbs 13: 6-7, MSG)

We all want to have a full, meaningful life. But way too often we look into wrong places to have one. Buying everything you fancy makes your home full of stuff but it is not a fulfilled life. Filling your calendar with social and work commitments makes your life full of business but it is not a fulfilled life.

A miserable heart means a miserable life;
a cheerful heart fills the day with song.

A simple life in the Fear-of-God
is better than a rich life with a ton of headaches.
(Proverbs 15: 15-16, MSG)

A simple life before God gives you a fulfilled life. God-loyal living means putting God first and everything and everybody else second. When we surrender our lives to God we are transformed, our lives are transformed. Not over night, of course. It’s a long process but we will start seeing small changes. When we serve others, instead of being left empty, we are blessed. By grace of God we are soon living fulfilled lives overflowing with blessings. They are not blessings like new cars and gas grills but they are gifts that money can’t buy: peace, love, joy, self-control…

The answer’s simple:
Live right,
speak the truth,
despise exploitation,
refuse bribes,
reject violence,
avoid evil amusements.
This is how you raise your standard of living!
A safe and stable way to live.
A nourishing, satisfying way to live.
(Isaiah 33: 15-16, MSG)

A God-loyal life is a nourishing, satisfying way to live. It’s not flashy but it’s real. It’s simple living but utterly meaningful. Once you’ve experienced the peace God gives, you don’t want to go back to self-loyal living. That is a path to destruction. But God-loyal life is a path to peace and harmony. What does God then expect from us? Simple, God-loyal living: Putting God first and living out our faith in love.

How can I stand up before God
and show proper respect to the high God?
Should I bring an armload of offerings
topped off with yearling calves?
Would God be impressed with thousands of rams,
with buckets and barrels of olive oil?
Would he be moved if I sacrificed my firstborn child,
my precious baby, to cancel my sin?

But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do,
what God is looking for in men and women.
It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don’t take yourself too seriously—
take God seriously.

Attention! God calls out to the city!
If you know what’s good for you, you’ll listen.
So listen, all of you!
This is serious business.
(Micah 6: 7-9; MSG)

 

Gracious God,
Thank you for calling us by our names.
Thank you for enabling us
to act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with you.
Bless us to bless others.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen

Q4U: How has God blessed you in your God-loyal living?

Be blessed, my fellow pilgrim, as you put God first and live your faith out in love!

Photo courtesy of Cathy Ginder