Theword

?THE GRASS WITHERS, THE FLOWER FADES, BUT THE WORD OF OUR GOD STANDS FOREVER.? (ISAIAH 40:8)

Pastor Ernest Martinez

The Community Church of Devore

We get so busy trying to convince ourselves that we are special and significant, but forget how special our God is and how significant is the calling to which we were called. What an amazing thing it is to be a child of God. What an astonishing event was our calling and salvation. What a marvelous work was the cross of Christ. What an inconceivable thought, the staggering reality of 1 John 3:1: ?Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God! Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him.?

Lately I have been thinking upon the reality of 1 John 3:1 and the implications it has on my walk with Christ. I finished the Epistle of 1 John and it was wonderful to teach through it and see how it effected everyone who really heard what the Lord is saying to Christians. Our fellowship according to chapter one of 1 John is relegated and sustained in and through our fellowship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The significance of God?s love towards us is what gives us significance. It is because of the manner in which God loves us that causes us to understand the blessing and great salvation that was given to us. It was not just forgiveness of sins, or the resolution of problems, even those problems that are life threatening or emotionally upsetting, though God often does solve many of our problems. The fact is that God makes us His children. To be a Christian is to be a child of God. To be a child of God means that we have given our lives to Jesus Christ and through His sacrifice has made us acceptable and pleasing in God the Father?s sight. Therefore, being adopted into the family of God is because of the great love God the Father has for the Son of God, Jesus Christ our Lord.

But who are we really? Can any of say that we are going to be the best evangelist or pastor? Can we educate ourselves to such an extent that we are able missionaries or preachers? Can we be Sunday School teachers simply because we want to be, or does God have something to say about that?

I view the man or woman who says that they are born again as an enlisted solider who now takes commands from their General, Jesus Christ our Lord. Paul uses the analogy of soldier who prepares himself for battle whose aim it is to please Him who enlisted them into the army. Paul commends Epaphroditus to the Philippians and calls him a soldier. ?Yet I considered it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, fellow worker, and fellow soldier, but your messenger and the one who ministered to my need;?.? (Philippians 2:25)

Paul furthermore warns the young pastor Timothy that he must endure hardship as a solider. Though it is written to Timothy, it is not just a warning or exhortation to pastors, but to all Christians. The one thing that American Christians seem to be unaware of is the hardship that comes with being born again; a solider in God?s army. Someone who is in the US Army does not involve themselves in the politics of the nation, or is not supposed to, but is to obey and carry out all moral and legal orders from their officers. Obedience is essential to a good solider and it is the backbone of a strong army. Paul tells Pastor Timothy:

?No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier.? (2 Timothy 2:4)

We are all equipped to carry out each and every mission God has given us to do. We should not assume or design good works according to our own heart, but out of obedience, we should walk in the work that God has prepared. Consider what the Bible teaches about ?good works.?

?For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.? (Ephesians 2:10)

Not only are we His workmanship, but God has created good works for us to fulfill. We may feel unqualified for the works God has place upon our hearts and in our path, but nevertheless, we must obey. It is because of ?manner of love? in which He prepared those works for us to do that we must obey.

Moses was asked to go before Pharaoh and deliver God?s people and in Exodus 3:11 Moses asked: ?Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel out of Egypt?" Who was he? He was the man God called to the job. I am sure there were others who felt that they were better skilled, or more religious, or even more sincere, but God called Moses to the job. How sad it is when someone tries to place themselves in a place of leadership or authority only to find out that they are not called to that work. Even worse is when someone ?trains? or ?educates? themselves to become a pastor or leader in the church and are successful in men?s eyes, but not in God?s eyes. The ministry will never be what God had intended if we are not obedient to His voice. To take it upon ourselves to walk in ?good works? that have been prepared for another, we not only rob that person of their blessing, but we misunderstand the ?manner? in which our Father loves us.

However, when you know God has called you and has given you the spiritual ability you know that all of the education and training will aid you in your task. The call is primary and essential to any ?good work? done for Jesus Christ. Because of His great love He has for us we can be sure that we can carry out every order that comes from His throne.

So who are you that God should save you and call you a child of God? Every time someone is confronted with the awesome grace and mercy of God, His holiness and power, and His love and provision for His creation, and when they turn their life completely over to God, the Lord bestows on them an abundant life filled with joy and power. They are not just saved, but they are enabled and begin the preparation needed for every ?good work.? Salvation brings life and that more abundant. But this is a free gift of faith, through grace. When I consider the great love of God, I do not need to feel better or ?significant? for my significance is in the calling of God and His great love for me.

David asked ?Who am I, O Lord GOD, and what is my house, that You have brought me this far? (2 Samuel 7:18b)? Have you asked the Lord lately ?Who am I?? The greatest king of Israel, King David, did not look in the mirror and say ?boy you are special? but understood that a life in complete humility to the Sovereign Lord whose love and power brings true significance and brings us blessing beyond measure.

Do you believe in God? Do you believe His word? Do you believe that you are loved by God? Are you born again? If you have not trusted in the great love of God and the provision that comes through the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made on your behalf, then repent and give your life to God. Believe in Jesus Christ and place your trust in Him. Acknowledge that Jesus is the Lord over all and that He is the only Savior who can forgive us of our sins. If you have believed upon Jesus Christ and you believe that God loves you, then show it by loving the people of God and serving His church. Lift up your brothers and sisters and pray for opportunities to give your life for the service of the Lord.

Make every effort to show up at church with a mind that is ready to receive God?s word. The Bible says that faith comes by hearing and that by the Word of God.

Copyright © by Access Christian All Right Reserved.

Published on: 2005-07-28 (2277 reads)