Christian Living

---

Larry Lilly's Letter Monday August 17, 2009

As many have commented my dailies for the week past were rather bland, even blank as to substance. Perhaps it was due to my having failed to send any of my grand letters. Life has its moments and I simply did not get to the letters.

I was refreshed by attending the Ecclesiastical Law Center sponsored meeting in Mesick, Michigan. Mesick is a wonderful little burg not far from the famous Mackinac Straits and Island. And it is also the home base of Ben Townsend, a truly great man who has weathered a few storms in his time. In my arrogance I assume my sermon refreshed others as I was touched by the preaching and utterly great music.

A statement that jumped into my mind along with others was made by a gifted preacher, Phil Jonker. I hope I do not offend the brother by using only one brief statement, but I know I would be blessed beyond measure if people remembered anything I said, myself included.

"A strong sense of duty is a prime requirement for leadership."

Phil presented his sermon in the well thought out style of MacArthur's Duty, Honor, Country and the cadence captured and held attention.

Over the course of my life I have observed that men and women who make any sort of mark within the family or profession of their choice/calling are people who possess a "strong sense of duty." The Apostle Paul certainly had this trait in spades and was terribly upset with John Mark who early in his career was seriously lacking in his understanding of personal responsibility to the task at hand. He learned this mark of character at the feet of Barnabas and went on to be a great help to the work of Christ.

People can learn and in our nation and especially our churches we need a revival of this "strong sense of duty." As MacArthur put it, "A recrudesce of the spiritual."

As Paul noted keeping the faith involves the finishing of the course. Phil pointed out that a "strong sense of duty" coupled with a true love for Christ is not a cumbersome exercise, but rather acts of duty that bring inner joy because they are rendered with the kind of love Christ had for us on the cross, expressed grandly in Hebrews 12:2:

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2009 Use with credit

---

PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE