Serving God

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.   ~   I Corinthians 12:12

In this scripture Paul compares the Body of Christ to the human body.  Our human body, even though it’s considered one body, has many members that make it up.  Some members of our human body may not seem all that important until you lose them.  Take for instance your fingernails, they may not seem all that vital, but if you were to lose them you’d find out that they perform many important functions for you.

The Body of Christ is the same way, every member is important to the overall health and function of the body.  As members of this one body we can’t pick and choose what part we are going to be, or where we are going to be placed at in the body.  Just as the members of our human body don’t get to decide where they are going to be, we as members of the Body of Christ don’t get to either.

It still amazes me that some people in the Body of Christ think they can pick and choose where they are going to be.  If they don’t like one place in the body they feel at liberty to move to another place in the body.  I can assure you that this is not a liberty that is granted by Jesus the Head of the Church.

Our lives will never truly be satisfying until we take our place in Christ’s body where we belong.  So, the next time you’re tempted to change your place in the body just remember these words from I Corinthians 12:18,  “But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.”

In this freedom Christ has made us free - completely liberated us; stand fast then, and do not be hampered and held ensnared and submit again to a yoke of slavery - which you have once put off.   ~   Galatians 5:1  Amplified Bible

Our forefathers came to this country seeking one main thing…  freedom!  Thank God they found it.  The United States has been, and still is one of the freest nations to ever exist.  But, over the years we had to stand for that freedom.  Sometimes we’ve even had to fight for it.  This is what the Apostle Paul is saying to the Galatians…  you have to fight and stand for the freedom that we have in Christ.

When we came to Christ He set us free from sin, the world, the flesh, and the devil.  So we ought to fight to stay as far away from them as we can.  I think that far too many believers try to stay as close to the old way of living, from which they’ve been delivered, without totally going back into the world.  But our thinking should be to see just how far away from our old lifestyle we can get.  As the Apostle Paul said, “to avoid the very appearance of evil.” 

We shouldn’t see how much we can look like the world and still get by with it.  We should come out from the midst of them and be different.  I said different, not weird.  You see, you can be different without being weird.  Leaders are always different.  So the next time you’re tempted to compromise a little just remember the words of Paul to the Galatians, and stand fast in the freedom with which Christ has made you free.  Thank God our founding fathers stood for freedom!

Ye are the light of the world.  A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.  Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light to all that are in the house.   ~   Matthew 5:14,15

You’ll notice in this passage of scripture that Jesus tells us that we’re to shed light in two places — the world and at home.  If we’re only shedding light at church, then we have a real credibility problem.  The world won’t believe we’re the real deal, neither will those who live at home with us. 

If anyone knows the real us it’s those we live with everyday.  Are we kind and loving to those of our own household, or are we nasty and ugly with those who know us best?  What about out in public?  These days a lot of people display their public life out in the open through websites like Facebook.  Are you just as spiritual on Facebook as you are at church?  If not you have a real credibility issue. 

We shouldn’t just act holy at church, then be something else out in public.  Always remember, people are watching to see if you’re the real deal or just another hypocrite.  So then…  don’t act like a Christian at church then act like the devil’s cousin at home or in public.  Let’s strive to be the real deal wherever we are!

But if I tarry long, that you may know how you ought to behave yourself  in the house of God, which is the pillar and ground of the truth.    ~    I Timothy 3:15

Jesus is building His Church… or at least trying to… but sometimes we get in His way and mess things up.  We’ve got a whole generation of people who don’t know how to conduct themselves in the Church of God, because they know very little about respecting, honoring, or esteeming Jesus and His Church. 

Ask any pastor what event will be better attended, a “Church Prayer Meeting” or a “How To Prosper Seminar”.  The prosperity seminar will be well attended while you have a whopping eight or nine people for the prayer meeting.  America is loaded with churches where believers are still wearing pampers when they should be wearing the armor of God!

Sadly, many believers haven’t grown up enough to understand that when it comes to Church, “it’s not about them” — it’s about serving the Lord, it’s about being a contributing member, and that is not always easy or convenient.  So, what does God want us to know?  It starts with having His heart.  Jesus loves His Church and gave Himself for it.   You and I should have that same heart!  So quit looking at the Church as a side issue, it is the issue!  It’s what Jesus gave His life for and we should be willing to do the same!

That you might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing….   ~   Colossians 1:10

This is the key to walking in God’s best for your life!  When we walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, it opens up realms of blessing that before we were not walking in.  There are three important things we need to do if we’re going to walk worthy of the Lord.  First, we need to live by faith (you can’t please God without it).  Second, we must walk in holiness.  And third, we must live the love life.  When you practice these three things with all your might you’ll find new areas of blessing opening up to you.

For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world…..   ~  II Timothy 4:10

What a sad statement this is.  Paul’s companion and fellow minister decided he missed what the world had to offer.  So he forsook and left one of the greatest ministries the world has ever known.  What opportunities he missed by leaving!

As a pastor I see this happen to people.  They love the things of the world more than they love God.  Perhaps they don’t see it that black and white, but that is the reality of it.  Because of this they miss many wonderful things the Lord wants to do in their lives.  They come to church for awhile, but then something they want to do becomes more important than serving God.  The sad thing is the happiness they think the world will give them it can’t really supply.

Only God our Father can provide us with true joy and happiness that will last.  So the next time you’re tempted to love this present world just say NO !