Romans 14:7-8 (NLT)

For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”

Paul’s motto was very simplistic but it guided his thinking, his scheming, his planning, his living. He encased all that he did around this simple rule: “My only worth in life and in death, is to honor Jesus.” That’s why even when he had opportunity to escape, he chose rather the risky option of remaining – because remaining would bring glory and honor to Jesus. Paul had no other life ambition outside honoring Jesus Christ. Jesus was his reason for living, and even in death, he wanted Jesus glorified and honored.

Paul’s team understood this motto. They did not live for Paul, neither did they live for the ministry. They did not think of their living or dying as for themselves. Their existence was relevant and needful only if it brought honor to Jesus. “We don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves.” What a vision worth emulating. If only we understood this ageless spiritual principle, our life impact would explode. Jesus is looking for such people to invest in and work through. Why should we live for ourselves, when we are the products of His grace. We need to summarize our reasons for living and package them within the vision of honoring Jesus. If we don’t do this, we would have wasted our lives here on earth, living for transient superficial things and pursuing ministries that have ulterior agendas outside the simplicity of honoring Jesus.

“O Lord, how I pray that this will represent my life vision; that my life will only be about Your glory and Your honor. And how I pray that even my death would be an opportunity to bring You glory. In Your name I pray. Amen.”