What Is Your Philosophy of Life?

(Part 2)

 

by Bryan Gibson, based on a sermon by John Gibson

 

You do have one, and if you intend to be a disciple of Jesus, yours should be the same as His. Last week we looked at what His philosophy was not, so let’s look at it now from the positive side. What were the things that mattered most to Him, and therefore should matter the most to us?

His philosophy of life focused on God, and this was demonstrated in several ways.

 

His purpose in life was to do the Father’s will

 

This purpose was seen even at age 12, when his parents found him in the temple, listening and asking questions. He explained what he was doing by saying, “Did you not know that I must be about my Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49).

Later statements by Jesus demonstrate this same commitment: “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me” (John 4:34); “I do not seek My own will, but the will of the Father who sent Me” (John 5:30). Even his prayers reflected this desire: “nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39).

 

He had great respect for the word of God

 

He responded to the temptations of Satan with these familiar words: “it is written” (Matthew 4:1-11). How could He do what Satan said, when God’s word taught otherwise? When presented with controversial religious questions, Jesus settled them with the word of God (see Matthew 19:3-6; 22:29). Rather than give the popular answer, He gave the right one, the one taught in the Scriptures. That’s what someone does when his life is focused on God.

 

He felt a kinship to those like-minded

 

“For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother” (Matthew 12:46-50). Jesus was committed to doing the Father’s will and He felt close to those who had the same commitment.

 

His philosophy of life was also focused on the needs of others

 

His disciples were indeed surprised, when Jesus, their Lord and Teacher (John 13:14), girded Himself with a towel, poured water into a basin and began to wash their feet (John 13:4-5). Jesus taught His disciples that serving others was the path to greatness, and He offered Himself as an example: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve…” (Mark 10:42-45). His entire reason for coming to this earth was to “seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). He knew this would involve His own death, but as the Good Shepherd, He was more than willing to lay down His life for His sheep (John 10:15).

So, do you have the same philosophy of life that Jesus had? Are you committed to obeying the Father’s will? Is that your whole purpose in life? If so, it will be seen in the respect you have for God’s word and the affection you feel for those like-minded. Are you committed to the needs of others? How low are you willing to stoop to serve those around you? Do you care about their physical needs, enough to provide them whatever they need? More importantly, do you care about their soul? How much effort will you make to save the souls of those who are lost? Are you truly a disciple of Jesus?