Every Christians Duty

"And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit." - 1 Thessalonians 5:14-19

When you join the military - the branch of service matters not - every member is taught the basics of what it means to be a member of that particular service - specifically and then what it means to be in service to your country specifically. I can remember finding my step-dad's manual from the marine corps. As a grade schooler I read that book from front to back. I learned the assembly and disassembly of the M-1 Garand rifle and how to treat blisters on your feet. I guess my serving in the Army should have come to no surprise to anyone. Once you learned the basics, you learned one or more specialties - like communications or Armor or Infantry. A specific role in the organization.

The Apostle Paul was wrote to the Church in Thessalonica about their basic responsibilities as Christians. The fundamentals of the faith if you will. Characteristics that will set you apart from the culture you  live in. Things that every Christian should be about.  We should all warn those Christians who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances. When others think about what a Christian looks like - your face should come to their minds. (Do you think it does?)

That would not be as a point of pride but one of thankfulness, knowing that you are no longer conformed to this world but are being transformed to prove or demonstrate that which is the good and perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2) You are fulfilling your purpose in your generation.

But wait there's more!!!  In the military everyone has a specialty that they are trained in. In the Body of Christ, everyone is gifted for their place in the Body that God has purposed for them. You are not merely a passenger on this train to heaven, but you are part of the crew. 

"There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. .... one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ." - 1 Corinthians 12:4-6,11-12

You have been called to serve in the Lord's army, if you will. Just remembered a song we taught our children when they were very small. "I may never fight in the infantry, shoot the artillery, ride in the cavalry. I may never fly o'er the enemy, but I'm in the Lord's army - Yes sir!" 

Actually I have done all of those things and am in the Lord's army on top of it. Go figure. So where is the place that the Lord has called you to?

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory. 

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone