"Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord"
--- Romans 12:11
"Care for the flock that God has entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly—not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God."
--- 1 Peter 5:2 NLT
"Whatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men," [Amplified version]
--- Colossians 3:23
"Only be very careful ... to love the LORD your God and walk in all His ways ... and serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul [your very life]." [Amplified version]
--- Joshua 22:5
What does it mean to Live Recklessly Abandoned to the Lord?
"Living with reckless abandon in the end times" is someone who fully dedicates their life to God, without reservation or fear.
It means believing the Lord Jesus Christ so completely as to live above worldly concerns. It is about prioritizing our lives to acts of faith and love above personal care.
It is looking out for the needs of others more than our own needs. It is loving God and loving our neighbor as ourselves. It is having such love that we are willing to risk our lives for someone to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ, even our enemies.
It is boldly speaking Jesus to those around us regardless of the consequences. It is living totally
submitted and surrendered to the will of God.
It requires fully embracing a zeal for the Lord Jesus Christ without regard for social conventions or potential risk; it is throwing ourselves wholeheartedly into prophetic evangelism with no thought of personal safety or harm. It is boldly spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ to anyone and
everyone, even those who hate us.
This zeal is not self-generated but is a result of the Holy Spirit's work within believers, as described in
Galatians 5:22-23,
where the fruit of the Spirit includes goodness and faithfulness.
For Christians, living with reckless abandon in the last days means a life without restraint or concern even if faced with imprisonment and other types of persecution, including death.
It is understanding who we are in Christ and recognizing that we are but sheep to be slaughtered and nothing
can separate us from the love of Christ.
(Romans 8:36-39)
It is recognizing the full meaning of:
"For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself.
For if we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord's.
For to this end Christ died and lived again, that he might be Lord both of the dead and of the living."
--- Romans 14:7-9
It is maintaining a spirit of unyielding devotion and obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ with our
continual focus on Him.
It is living as if we are immortal because, in Christ, we are.
Put simply, reckless abandon to God is how all Christians should be living.
Reckless abandon to God caused John Bunyan, a 16th-century preacher, over a decade of imprisonment.
John Bunyan was an English writer and Puritan preacher, most famously known for authoring "The Pilgrim's Progress," a Christian allegory depicting a symbolic journey of a man named Christian as he navigates through life's trials and temptations on his way to the Celestial City, representing the pursuit of salvation.
The book has significantly impacted society by providing a relatable narrative about the Christian life, influencing religious thought, practice, and literature across denominations, particularly through its emphasis on personal faith and perseverance in the face of adversity.
Arrested in November 1660 for holding an illegal religious meeting, Bunyan's continual refusal to not preach kept him imprisoned until 1672.
Bunyan refused to remain quiet concerning the gospel and he suffered for it.
Reckless abandon to the Lord often comes with suffering and pain but also great reward.
(2 Corinthians 4:17-18)
Bunyan's unwavering zeal and commitment to God, which had caused his imprisonment, also positioned him to write "Pilgrim's Progress."
Next to the Bible, is the second best-selling English book of all time and still widely read today.
I think many want to attain this level to commitment to our Lord but are not sure how.
But for others, the cares of the world weigh them down and they get off track.
(Mark 4:19)
"Light on a Hill"
We are called to be a light on a hill
This imagery comes from
Matthew 5:14-16,
where Jesus says,
"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden."
This means that our lives should be so evident that the world around us
sees Christ in us.
How we live is our testimony of Jesus Christ and a witness to the world.
And we should be shining the light of Christ in all the dark places of the world.
Though the last days will be exceedingly dark, the Light of Christ overcomes the darkness.
(John 1:5)
Road to Reckless Abandon: Mindset - Heartset
To embrace a life of commitment to Christ at the level of reckless abandon,
we have to have the right mindset or frame of mind but we also need the
right heartset or frame of heart.
Everything of value begins in the mind but must go to the heart to be fully grasp and understood.
And it must be applied to our heart before it is ours.
Reckless abandon to the Lord must be indelibly written on our heart as faith.
And this is the work of the Holy Spirit.
Reckless abandon becomes stamped on our hearts in such an enduring, lasting way that cannot be removed by anyone or anything. It becomes more than just what we do, it becomes who we are.
Living with reckless abandon in the last days is a reflection of our relationship with God and with others.
It reveals who we are in Christ.
Jesus instructions to the Church enduring the first seal of Revelation (letter to Ephesus) is:
But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first.
--- Revelation 2:4
We need to repent, seek the Lord with all our heart, and surrender and obey to the Living God.
Results of Living with Reckless Abandon:
Loving God:
As we seek the Lord our God with all our heart, dwelling in His presence and His peace
(Colossians 3:15)
a wholehearted, unconditional surrender to God's will begins to form in our innermost being.
A deep Personal unrestrained devotion to God overtakes us followed closely by a even deeper
gratitude of what He has done in our heart and in our life.
He has given Himself for us by dying on the cross to cover our sin with His blood.
He has bought us with His blood and we belong to Him. He has restored our relationship to
the Father and now calls us His children.
(1 Peter 2:24)
•
We want to be with Him and obey Him; to talk with Him and meditate on His word.
(Joshua 1:8, Psalm 1:2)
•
We continually draw closer to Him, cultivating a deep love and passion for God.
(James 4:8)
•
We trust Him, He is our blessed hope.
(Jeremiah 17:7-8, Proverbs 3:5-6, Titus 2:13)
•
We let go of the world and the things in the world
(1 John 2:15-17)
•
We fast to detach us from this world
(Psalm 51:17)
•
We Proclaim Christ with the fear of God, not man.
(Matthew 10:27-28)
•
We want to please God.
(Colossians 1:10)
•
We desire to give glory to God.
(Psalm 115:1, 1 Corinthians 10:31, Psalms 96:8)
•
We let go of self-control and submitting to God's control.
(2 Corinthians 5:14, 1 Peter 5:6, James 4:7)
•
We humble ourselves and submit to His authority.
(James 4:10)
•
Enduring Hope springs up in us.
(Psalm 62:5-6, Romans 15:13)
•
We completely focus our lives on Jesus and the eternal, not self, not the world, not circumstances.
(2 Corinthians 4:18, Hebrews 12:2)
•
We build perseverance and determined courage to face trials.
(James 1:2-3 NIV)
Loving our Neighbor:
•
We express love generously towards others, without expecting anything in return.
(John 15:12-13, Luke 6:35-36)
•
We actively seek opportunities to serve others, demonstrating God's love through practical actions.
(Galatians 6:10, Galatians 5:13, Hebrews 13:16)
•
We develop empathy and a desire to meet the needs of others.
(Galatians 6:2)
•
We extend compassion to others.
(Colossians 3:12-13)
•
We cultivate a boldness to share our faith, looking for opportunities to witness.
(Colossians 4:3, Ephesians 6:19-20)
Other Keys:
•
detaching from the world and worldly things
(2 Corinthians 6:17, Matthew 6:19-21)
•
Releasing material possessions and worldly concerns that hinders spiritual growth.
(Colossians 3:2)
•
Acceptance of uncertainty
(Isaiah 41:10, Psalm 9:9-10)
•
Cherishing the blessings in your life, even during difficult times.
(2 Corinthians 9:8)
•
Embracing each day with purpose and intention.
(Ephesians 5:10, Psalm 118:24)
With Care and Discernment:
•
Be wise as serpents: Be aware of your surroundings and dangers.
Be innocent as doves: Be pure, blameless, and holy.
(Matthew 10:16)
•
While reckless abandon implies a strong commitment, it should not be interpreted as irresponsible or reckless behavior that disregards personal safety or the well-being of others.
Always avoiding offense to others.
(Proverbs 19:11, 1 Corinthians 10:32)
Living with Reckless abandon for the Lord
is not something a person can achieve solely through their own willpower, but rather is empowered by the Holy Spirit working within them as a believer; it is a result of the Holy Spirit's influence guiding and enabling their actions.
Galatians 5:22-23,
