~ Will We Be Unashamed to Meet Christ Face-To-Face ~
Service, or ministry to the body of Christ, is not optional for the Christian—It is something which is expected of a Christian who is walking worthy of his calling (1 Peter 4:10). At physical birth we were all born with various natural abilities. At spiritual birth we were all born with various spiritual gifts. We use both in our labor of ministry to those around us. Look at some aspects of the realities of our position and calling.
Our Appointment ~ We serve in Christ’s place as His ambassadors while He is away preparing our future mansions. – “Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:20-21).
Our Task ~ We are to be consistent in our witness to others about the Truth, even in this day when so many do not believe there is any ultimate truth. “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching” (2 Timothy 4:2). “This is the Truth and everyone should accept it. We work hard and suffer much in order that people will believe it, for our hope is in the living God who died for all, and particularly for those who have accepted His salvation” (1 Timothy 4:9-10).
Our Goal ~ We are to grow in maturity as we work towards enlightening all people about the Truth of Jesus Christ and His saving work for us on the Cross of Calvary. “We preach about Jesus Christ, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus” (Colossians 1:28). “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. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the Truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ” (Ephesians 4:13-15).
Our Responsibility ~ We are accountable for making the riches of salvation through Jesus Christ known to those around us. But it is God Himself who is responsible for the results. “Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place. For we are to God the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing” (2 Corinthians 2:14-15).
Our Resources ~ We are “complete in Him” and have been given all we need to accomplish the task which He has given us (see Colossians 2:10 and 2 Peter 1:3). “If any lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” ( James 1:5). “Our sufficiency is from God” (2 Corinthians 3:5).
Our Special Helper ~ The Holy Spirit provides direct assistance as we minister for Him (and in other areas of our lives as well). “The Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groans which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God” (Romans 8:26-27).
Our Tradeoff ~ We minister on His behalf in response to His love to us—however, it turns out to be a great bargain on our part. “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be when compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).
Our Reward ~ God is light and we will be with Him forever without any night or darkness of any kind. In that day nothing will ever diminish in its brilliance and glory. “Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever” (Daniel 12:3). “When the Chief Shepherd appears, we will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away” (1 Peter 5:4).
CONTEMPLATE: Since God has provided all of this to help us accomplish the tasks He has given us, what excuse could we give for not following through when we meet Him who gave His all for us?
Very much true; I really love coming here every week. Your systematic presentation of Scriptural topics are plain and insightful. God bless you!
ReplyDeleteGreat reminder, l guess its like children whose parents go out and leave them with a task. However once mum and dad leave, they choose to play around the house and not focus on their delegated assigments. Suddenly they hear the car pool into the garage and instead of running to their parents, they hide because they are ashamed that they did not complete neither do what was given to them.
ReplyDelete1 John 2:28: says And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
We will only have confidence when we can say: I finished the work you gave me to do.
Its takes alot of grace and focus but it can be done.
God bless
Bisi