LIVING FOR JESUS

What are you really living for?  What would your calendar indicate?  How about your checkbook?  What about your work schedule?  What would your family say?  Maybe some of these would be better indicators of the truth of our answer to the original question.  After all, it is easy to fool people by what we do and say on Sunday morning.  Today many people claim to be Christians and believers in Jesus.  But too many don't really understand what it means to really live for Jesus.  This week's hymn choice makes it very clear what that commitment really means.  In this modern world, with all of its attractions, or should I say distractions, can we really say, as the composer said, "I own no other master, my heart shall be Thy throne"?  This week please read all of the words of each verse of this hymn very carefully and determine if these words of consecration are really yours.  Jesus willingly gave Himself for us.  What have we yielded to Him in return for this great sacrifice?  The composer of this consecration hymn, C. Harold Lowden, tells about the origin of the hymn. "In 1915, I wrote a gospel song entitled The Sunshine Song for children's services. It became quite popular, and many pastors wrote to me that the music should be saved, and a more general setting of words wedded to it. The rhythm and tempo suggested the words Living for Jesus. The idea came to me that a deep consecration setting of words would be most appropriate. After much thought and prayer I decided to ask T.O. Chisholm to write the words. I mailed him a copy of the music and suggested the title and the type of refrain which I felt it deserved. In a day or so, Mr. Chisholm returned it to me, saying he didn't have the slightest idea as to the method used in writing words to music.  Immediately, I sent the material back to him, telling him I believed God had led me to select him, and suggesting that he permit God to write the poem. Within a couple of weeks he had completed the writing of the words, just as they appear in the song today".   Since then the hymn has been translated into at least 15 different languages.

(1)   Living for Jesus, a life that is true,

Striving to please Him in all that I do;

Yielding allegiance, glad hearted and free,

This is the pathway of blessing for me.

O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,

For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.

I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.

My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

(2)   Living for Jesus Who died in my place,

Bearing on Calvary my sin and disgrace;

Such love constrains me to answer His call,

Follow His leading and give Him my all.

O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,

For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.

I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.

My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

(3)   Living for Jesus, wherever I am,

Doing each duty in His holy Name;

Willing to suffer affliction and loss,

Deeming each trial a part of my cross.

O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,

For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.

I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.

My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

(4)   Living for Jesus through earth's little while,

My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;

Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,

Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.

O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,

For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.

I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.

My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.

Listen to it being sung here by a men's choral group.   LISTEN