An important question to ask when seeking God’s peace in Christ is to consider whether or not we have “done anything with our salvation.” Yes, we have come to faith in Christ, and we have invited him into our lives. This assures us we have escaped hell and have secured eternity in heaven for our souls. But have we lived a life that imitates Christ and uses the gifts and blessings the Holy Spirit has given us for the advancement of God’s Kingdom?
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
The parable of the wise and the foolish builders illustrates how important it is to build one’s life on obedience to the teachings and example of Jesus.
There are two kinds of people whose hearts reveal their actions: hearers and doers. The wise person is the doer who puts Jesus’ teachings into practice. It is not enough to say we are Christians only in word but not in deed. The power to find peace lies in our belief in Christ, our repentance from sin, our love for one another, and our living a life that is worthy of the Master’s example. This is what theologians call sanctificaion or, simply, holiness.
Why did God create us? It certainly was not because he needed us.
“The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else.” Acts 17:24-25
Real success in this context comes from seeing God complete in us what he created us to do on this side of the heavenly divide. It is impossible to miss that “completion” when we see it unfold in the real world. Real success does not come from doing something we choose to do because we are good at it. Real success comes from glorifying and exhibiting Christ in our lives in the real world. And when it is all said and done, in the end it will be our faith–not our gold–that God will have on display as our victory.
That is where we will find our legacy in Christ.
