A Life In The Balance
IHave you ever really watched a commercial about weight loss? They are so prevalent on television and the internet we tend to ignore them. Weight loss supplements, exercise equipment, or fad diets promise amazing, fast, and easy results. The one thing that I've noticed they all have in common is the fast talk, small letter disclaimer at the end that always includes something like, "results not typical and only achieved with our product and a balanced diet and moderate exercise plan." Believe it or not, I think we can learn a valuable life lesson from that disclaimer and it has to do with the word "balance."
In Matthew 11:29-30, Jesus says, "Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." The Greek word for yoke is zugos which means, "to couple any two things together." We use this word today to mean a wooden beam affixed between two work animals that allows them to pull a heavy load.
There is another definition to the original Greek word zugos, however, that is lesser known yet quite helpful. It means, "a beam of balance which unites two scales." When we pair ourselves with (yoke ourselves to) Jesus, He brings needed balance to our lives. While there is a requirement, unlike the weight loss commercial, there is no "catch". Jesus tells us right up front we must willingly affix ourselves with Him by taking His yoke upon us.
When two oxen or work horses pull a heavy load while yoked together, they share the work. They both pull equally, straining and striving against the burden until it is finally moved. This is not the case when we yoke ourselves with Jesus. He says His burden is light, and it is because He did all the work. In fact, His work was so heavy, so burdensome, it cost Him His life. When Jesus willingly laid down His life on the cross for our sins and was resurrected three days later, He said, "It is finished." (John 19:30). The straining and striving against the heavy weight of sin is over because He completed His work and paid the ultimate price for our sin.
Salvation is a free gift of God's grace. We receive this gift when we believe that Jesus is God's Son and that He paid for our sin by His work on the cross. While this amazing gift removes eternal punishment for sin, we still must live life on earth until we go to heaven. Salvation removes the punishment for sin but not the consequences of sin. The consequences may look like addiction, an unplanned pregnancy, or many other things that must be dealt with in our lives.
Jesus said in John 10:10, "I have come that they (you) may have life, and have it to the full." Jesus didn't come only to save us, but to give us an abundant life. A perfect, sinless life only happens in heaven, but submission to Jesus and His will for our lives leads to the best life we can have on earth.
For many of us, submission goes against everything we were taught. The world tells us that if we don't look out for our own interests no one will. That is true of the world, but not of Jesus. The world tells us that a life of submission is restrictive and is just a list of do's and don't. Submission to the One who wants what is best for you leads to a life full of joy and peace, two things the world cannot give.
While following God's will and plan for our lives leads to an abundant, better life, there are two other important reasons for submitting to God's will: love and gratitude. 1 John 5:3 reads, "this is love for God: to keep His commands. And His commands are not burdensome." We love Jesus because He first loved us. He showed His love for us by dying on a cross to save us from sin, death, and hell. We show our love for Him by doing what He commands, which, as we know, leads to life abundant. We are so grateful for His love and salvation that our answer to His will for us should always be, "Yes, Lord Jesus, your will be done."
While Jesus finished His saving work on the cross, He still works mightily in our lives. He balances our life on earth by giving us freedom from slavery to sin and its consequences so that we may live a joy-filled, peaceful, abundant life while we await perfection in heaven.
Written by Heather Moore