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To the Work!
But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. James 2:18
Have you ever heard anyone in regards to working in the kingdom of the Lord say, “I don’t feel like I am doing enough?” My reply has been, “you do more than you realize.” It is true, we may never see the fruit of our labor and naturally feel like we are not doing our part. For instance, we could be in public talking to a friend, and someone we don’t even know is listening, could hear a comment we make about the Lord, causing a thought that can lead to change of heart in that person. It could be that we come to bible study at the church building Wednesday night, even when we are not feeling our best. Or we are tired from the days work…but we come anyway! Fellow Christians notice. How about when you greet a visitor on a Sunday morning with a smile and a handshake? We have people at our church that do this. I have seen it, and it is encouraging to me.
“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.” 1 Corinthians 15:58
I would like to share a story …
One year, many years ago before I became a Christian, I was home visiting my Mom and Dad for the holidays. The phone rang about 9:30 pm. My dad answered. He did not say much, but I heard, “ok… ok… I will be there in few minutes.” He hung up the phone and went to the closet, got his jacket, and put it on. I watched as he gathered up his keys and wallet, and I said, “Hey Dad, where you going? Can I go with you?” So we left together. I had no idea where we were going, but I was curious as to what he was up to. Stillwater is a small town, so the drive was not long. He pulled the truck into the driveway of this little house and got out. I followed him up to the door. He knocked and to the door came this little old lady, probably in her late 70’s. She smiled and said, “Hello Bob.” My Dad said hello and introduced me to her. She smiled, and we walked into the house. She handed my Dad a light bulb, and he went toward the back of the house. I just stayed by the front door. He came back a couple of minuets later, and we said goodbye to her and returned home. Not a word was said… however his actions spoke loudly! He was about the Father’s business, and I don’t think he even knew it. He drove across town to change a light bulb for a widow who had just lost her husband… they were regular customers of my dad’s plumbing business. He had become friends with them over the years.
Earning our way into heaven is impossible, but living life as Christ did, and treating others as He did, is what we are asked to do. We have to purpose in our hearts to live this way; it does not come to all of us so easily. I know. I struggle with it.
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14
I wanted to write about this, in hopes it would help me focus more on others than on myself. I want to encourage all of us to be about the Father’s business. Not to bring attention to ourselves but to create in us a better more caring heart. God wants our effort. He wants us to plant a seed and water, so He can help with the growth.
“I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God's fellow workers. You are God's field, God's building.” 1 Corinthians 3:6-9
I heard in bible class one time, that we Christians are God’s only way to reach people here on earth. We are His representatives and are to deliver His message to all who will hear.
This song explains very simply, what we need to do until the master comes to take us home.
To the work! To the work! We are servants of God;
Let us follow the path that our Master has trod;
With the balm of His counsel our strength to renew,
Let us do with our might what our hands find to do.
We have a reward coming! When He comes back to take us home, or we pass from this life, our crown awaits us. Don’t misunderstand me. We cannot earn our salvation, but we have to work while we are here, to build up our faith and be justified before him. More than that, helping as many souls as we can on the way!
“You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.”
James 2:24
Terry Ryan
