Ok, let’s go back in time….let’s say 20 years ago. Whether it was a baptism, or a wedding, or a graduation, or any special occasion – if a genuine follower of Christ were to give a testimony or share about the Lord’s work in their life – it was not uncommon for you to hear a person say…”let me share a life verse.” What they were saying was that after looking into the Bible and the 31,000 verses found in the pages of Scripture, they have claimed one verse to be their verse. It is a passage that has some significance for them– some meaning – maybe connected to an event that marked them forever.
I have one…. I have claimed as my life verse, or verses…. 2 Corinthians 5: 14, 17, 20 (they all flow together)….
14 For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; ….17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. ….20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
What motivates my life – I have been shown Christ’s love…..
What makes my life – Christ’s life in me, making me a new person….
What gives my life meaning – I’m Christ’s representative
Then, there is our church’s “life verse”….
He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God; Many will see and fear And will trust in the Lord. Psalm 40:3
It is where we get our name from - NEWSONG. Because of the renewing work of Christ in our lives, we are singing a new song. And as we sing that new song, others will hear it and want to know about the Lord.
Many of the same elements are contained in both verses….Christ’s renewing work in our lives, changing us so that we can make a difference in the world and then someone else hearing about this good news through us and experiencing the same change!
My encouragement is a simple one….what is your life verse? As you get into the Scriptures what verse do you identify with? What verse tells a little bit of your story? What passage of God’s Word has your name written on it?
To come to that conclusion, you have to be in the Scriptures. You have to read the Bible regularly….have you done that today? Have you taken time to open the Bible and ask God to reveal truth into you heart?
You also have to start to identify with the Bible. Apply it and evaluate your life with the Word. Can you place yourself in the story of the Bible and see yourself being a part of redemptive history?
Then, share it – You have to give the Bible away….I have found that taking a passage and talking about it with others integrates it more deeply in your life and helps you gain greater insights each time you talk about it.
I have gone into believers’ homes over the years and saw life verses made into a painting or needle point. I have seen it used when an author autographs a book or signs a picture. Then, there is the issue of a family verse…the process goes on and on and on. The idea is simple – in what way do you see the Word of God being embodied by your life? I like what Paul says….
You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men; being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts. 2 Corinthians 3:2-3 (NASB95)
It is one thing to have a life verse – it’s another to be the verses of Scripture so that others can see the gospel in our lives. This week….why not determine what your life verse is and embrace it? Then, find ways to live it out so that people will see it and understand it by your example!!
Better why now use the comment section on this blog and share with me and others what your “life verse” is???