Man, this is the Life!

 Read Amos 5.

The people of Israel enjoyed a time of great prosperity.  They felt they were really living and could behave however they wished without answering to anyone.  Note what this attitude led to in verses 10-12.
1. They oppressed the poor through taxation.
2. They wasted resources by excessive lifestyles.
3. They hated and then afflicted the righteous by rejecting the truth.
4. They distorted justice by taking bribes.
5. They turned away from those in need.

These, the LORD called their great sins.  Their financial independence resulted in the wrong sort of life-independence and wastefulness.  The problem came when they forgot the source of their blessings and decided to live independently of God and His word.  By not listening to the truth, they were not prepared for what was about to take place.  Everything they had, all their possessions, their pleasures, their very lives, would soon be gone.

Three times in this chapter God called to them, "Seek me and live."  Further, there was the urging to "Hate evil, and love good, and establish justice in the gate; it may be that the LORD, the God of hosts, will be gracious..." (v.15).

Amazingly, when life seems to be going well, many want to take the credit for their blessings or successes and find little to no time for God.  And, when circumstances are not going well, these same folks want to give God full credit for the bad things.  The bottom-line is that they choose to interpret their faith in God by their own feelings instead of the facts. 

A self-focused and selfish life can only be based upon temporal values that one day will all be left behind.  The Apostle Paul was correct, "If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied." (1 Corinthians 15:19).  Living for Jesus means we keep eternity's values in view and experience a life that transcends our circumstances, good or bad.  Both are tests of our faith, not the truthfulness of God.

"I have been crucified with Christ.  It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20)