Of This I am Certain
Nothing ventured. Nothing gained.
Prosperity preaching and comfortable living have spoiled many "Christians." They operate under the assumption that heaven owes them because they are Kingdom folks. Foolish preachers have promoted notions that God has a mind-blowing...awesome...stunning...headline-grabbing...task for every believer.
Following such rainbows has led many folks to non-productive lives. They have waited for billboard directions from heaven, an angel flying overhead sounding a trumpet, or a neon light flashing beside the highway to prophesy the GREAT PLAN for their ministry.
Boxing God in is silly business. He is sovereign. He does not have to ask permission to be God. He operates in Truth, but has no compulsion to follow man's rules. If He wants to walk on water, make a donkey talk, a whale swallow a preacher...He does. If he chooses to make walls of Jericho fall down, the Jordan River dry up, or shake prison doors open to free a preacher, He is God. If He chooses to only do such things one time, He is still God.
If He chooses to allow Abraham to search for a City whose Builder and Maker is God, He is God. If He chooses to tell Jonah to go to Ninevah, He is God. If he chooses to allow Nehemiah---a cupbearer---to marshal troops and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem in 52 days. He is God.
Man sees God do the miraculous and wants a repeat. Man hangs on to the miracle, instead of valuing the Miracle Maker. Man gets caught up in the act of God, instead of being in awe of the God who does the action.
My inclination is that God's plan for Man is very simple: That we be conformed to the image of Christ. “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” [Romans 12:2].
As folks in the country would say: "The proof is in the pudding," i.e., What we do after we deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Jesus is the proof of our discipleship.
When a man marries a woman he agrees to love and care for her. She does not wake him up every morning and say: "You promised me. It is time to get up and go to work. You are obligated to care for me and our family." A man does not need God to tell him to get out of bed and go to work. He has made a covenant. He is honor bound. To work he goes.
We are not saved by works, but saved we work.
Such is the Kingdom. I know that God can and does give specific callings and instructions. God told Joseph to flee to Egypt with Mary and Baby Jesus. However, God more often challenges us to walk in the power of the Holy Spirit. He equips and prepares us with hope that we will see the harvest and choose to be a participant in it.
Every church family has its own character. If we come to be served, soon division and dissension arrive. But if we come together to celebrate our love in Christ, then we are united in common cause. There is a work to do. The harvest is ripe. Precious souls are waiting for the gospel. Captives need to be freed. Bruised people need healing. Blinded persons need their eyes opened to see Jesus.
There is no more glorious work on earth than the work of Jesus. To share with neighbors, friends, co-workers, family, fellow students is not a task but the purpose and fulfillment of our joy.
About 52 A.D. the Apostle Thomas arrived in India to share the gospel. History indicates he died for Christ at the hands of a Hindu priest. The priest is forgotten, but today some 8-10 million persons in India are followers of Christ because of the Apostle Thomas! Our Hindi Fellowship at Covenant church is a product of the Apostle Thomas.
In a little while you will meet Jesus. I beg you that it would not be in judgment. Know HIM. And knowing HIM join in the caring and sharing of the gospel to every creature. Make your life count for eternity. "Soon this life will be past. Only what is done for Christ will last," were words printed, framed and hanging on grandmother's wall. May these words drive us to action.
Of this I am certain. Because you love God you will read the Bible and do what it says. The Bible is the biggest billboard you will ever see in this life!
Pastor Bare
James 4:17
Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.