Thursday, June 28, 2018

Don't Make The Mistake Of Choosing The Good And Not The Best



I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me. —Philippians 3:12

{CHAMBERS} “Never choose to be a worker for God, but once God has placed His call on you, woe be to you if you “turn aside to the right hand or to the left” (Deuteronomy 5:32). We are not here to work for God because we have chosen to do so, but because God has “laid hold of” us. And once He has done so, we never have this thought, “Well, I’m really not suited for this.” What you are to preach is also determined by God, not by your own natural leanings or desires. Keep your soul steadfastly related to God, and remember that you are called not simply to convey your testimony but also to preach the gospel. Every Christian must testify to the truth of God […] There must be unflinching faithfulness to the Word of God, but when you come to personal dealings with others, remember who you are— you are not some special being created in heaven, but a sinner saved by grace. “Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do…I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14).”

{ELGIN}  The Bible is pretty clear that God has not called all of us to do the same thing in the kingdom .. in the Body of Christ … some have been given specific responsibilities (Ephesians 4:7,11-13) “But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. […] So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.”

For all Christians we have been given spiritual gifts for the building up of the Body and the proclamation of the Gospel.  When I talk to Christians about what we do, I always hasten to add the God has not called everyone to lay down their nets (quit their job, sell their house, live in a camper or travel to a 3rd world country to live and minister) but He has called everyone to service.  To live their lives in such a manner as to bring Glory to God, to lift Jesus up, to be a light in a dark world.  Environmentalists are concerned about preserving the earth for future generations .. that is not a bad thing .. but it is not the best thing.  This world, like these jars of clay that we know as our earthly bodies, will pass away one day.  We need to be good stewards of God’s creation, certainly. But, the more important thing is that there is an eternity beyond this earthly life … the bigger question is where will the future generations spend eternity.  Not everyone will be saved .. but some will .. that is because we have been given a free will … free to reject God and His gift of grace through Jesus and His sacrifice. 

Our purpose is to live in obedience to the Word of God by the power of the Spirit and submission of our will to the Father through faith in Jesus. And – to share the Good News with those around us.  We do that through words and deeds.  Jesus said (Matthew 5:13) “Salt that has lost its savor is good for nothing…”  If you are a Christian but are living like the lost people around you … you, the salt and light, have lost your savor or ability to do what God purposed.  What is it in your life that you need to cast aside because it is hindering you from fulfilling your purpose?  A worldly habit, an earthly pleasure, a friend who encourages the carnal in you, an ungodly preference that your culture is convinced is good, perhaps not reading the Word, not praying, not associating with other Christians?  Listen – the list of obstacles is long.  Whatever it is .. today is the day you should repent of it and turn your face toward the Father who is eager to see you return.

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