No Regrets!

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”  1 Cor. 15:58

All of us have regrets in this life. You might have regretted relationships you have had,  purchases you have made, jobs you have settled for, or decisions that have affected your health. But, there is one regret that a Christian will never have: living for Christ.

A dear friend of mine, John Riley, and I met at Benedictine High School in Richmond, Va (all-boy military school). Neither of us was a follower of Christ. However, if you had asked us, we would have said yes. When I was 24, I came to Christ, and John was one of      the first people I shared this with. He thought that I  was crazy for denying my faith in Roman Catholicism. Over the next five years, I would share Christ with John, and he would tolerate the conversations. Finally, God called John to be His. His life was transformed. He was a new creation, which was on full display when he  attended an event for our high school reunion. I did not attend.

At this event, there was plenty of alcohol and a lot of back-slapping and telling war stories about when they were together in high school. At one point, a young woman came out and began to strip for the men. John stood up and spoke out that this was not right. He told them we have daughters the age of this young lady and should not participate in this. At this point, most men booed him and threw cups of beer at him. He left, but he did not leave alone. Two men left with him.  They thanked John for making a stand and told him that he gave them the courage to leave.

Christians, we are called to take a stand for righteousness regardless of the consequences. As Paul instructed the Church in Corinth to be steadfast and always strive to do  the Lord’s work, we are called to do the same. You will never regret what you sacrificed for the cause of Christ. Even if, ultimately, it costs you friends, prestige, a job, or even your life. Paul, writing to Timothy, knew that he was facing execution for the cause of Christ. He had no regrets for serving Christ for 30 years. Let these be our words as we live for Christ, “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.  7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the  course, I have kept the faith. 8 In the future there is laid up for  me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the  righteous Judge, will award to me on that day, and  not only to me but also to all who have loved His  appearing” (2 Tim 4:6-8).

Live a life of no regrets. Live for Christ.

Your shepherd,

Pastor Mark