Christian Living
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“For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts.” (1 Thessalonians 2:3-4)
Every week we walk through a maze of conversations and hear things that cause us to pause. We pause to sort and question if what we have heard is true or possible. Especially if it is qualified by the teller saying it is true. My grandmother always said, “Take it with a grain of salt.” Meaning it may sound true but is not always true. It is always good advice, as con artists practice their deception trade. Unless it is a trusted friend, I never take anything as truth without first doing my own investigation. One thing I have learned is position does not guarantee truth. It is dangerous in the church as members always take the pastor's word as gospel truth. We must remember they are people like us and often get caught up in their own plans and way to achieve them. We all can recall examples of twisted truths we have heard in the past.
As I continue to read the scriptures, I have set aside my own desires to achieve His work and relied more on His desires for the way I accomplish His work. (Psalm 37:4) I have given more heed to the truth that I can’t do anything of worth unless the Lord leads me. (John 15:4) My view of success has changed from what I can do to what the Lord can do through me. Life still has its share of confusion, but the end game always ends right with me amazed at how it happened. A friend of mine’s life verse is plain great advice for all. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6)
The adversary is a constant torment on my path, and words sometimes escape my mouth without proper weighing. More often than in the past, I have to weigh my words carefully before they slip beyond my lips. As a disciple of Jesus, I try to adhere to His Priestly Prayer for you and me. "Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth." (John 17:17) While passing through this world, we must set ourselves apart from the misadventures of what people do in their practice of unrighteousness. Not to judge them or avoid them entirely but to live as His light of the truth they may see and come to His truth. (Matthew 5:16) Therefore we must weigh our thoughts and words against His truth and follow in faith. "Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you with his neighbor, for we are members of one another." (Ephesians 4:25)
We cannot walk around the world living like people of the world. We cannot expect to be approved as His by the world if we live like the worldly. If people of the world do not see us living righteously, how can we teach others righteousness? I do not want the world to approve of me, nor do I desire them to. Most importantly, I desire the Lord to approve me of living His gospel message before humanity that they may see Him lifted up in me. Whatever we do in this life, we must do it for the Lord, as it is His creation as we are also. "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve." (Colossians 3:23-24)
What can the approval of humanity give me here more incredible than the inheritance of God’s Kingdom? I do seek the favor of people; it is always an advantage in all we do. It is always better to work with people who favor you than the difficulty of someone who dislikes you. Either way that works out, it is more important to love them, as their value is Jesus loved them and went to the cross for them. There is no one in humanity Jesus didn’t sacrifice His life for their salvation. The foremost favor I seek is my Lord and Saviors, as He is the one who offers salvation from God’s eternal wrath. He is the one who is willing to forgive me despite the sin and rejection of His love in the past and present. He is the one who is willing to work through me as incapable as I am. I cannot strive to please humanity and expect to be a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ. "For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ." (Galatians 1:10)
Not everyone who hears the gospel of Jesus, for whatever reason, receives it, as most reject the truth and love their way of seeking the fainting pleasures of a dying world. Our only prayer is they will revisit His truth, accept it, and seek the Lord with all their heart. I have never saved a soul, and no man has, but I have planted many seeds of His truth and pray God will cause them to flourish in time. Receiving the gospel of Jesus is a treasure we have been entrusted to share with all who will listen. The gospel not only gives us a way of life, harmony with God’s creation, the purpose for our life, but the Holy Spirit’s power to accomplish the good work. "Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you." (2 Timothy 1:14)
There is nothing I speak to please humanity. If anyone is not pleased with the way I am, there is nothing I can change that would please them, as I would not be who I am. When I speak, I weigh my words to ensure they are pleasing to my Lord. We must consider them to ensure the truth is spoken and our intentions are righteous according to His Word. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the only path to life with the Holy Father. (John 14:6) The Lord God Almighty searches the heart and knows the true intent of our thoughts, words, and deeds. "I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways, According to the results of his deeds." (Jeremiah 17:10)
In everything I do, play, work, and worship, I do for Him. In whatever station in life, He has placed us. There is good work to do for His glory. It is not the title or the privilege of our efforts. It is where the Lord has placed us to prosper in His Kingdom. When we are in His will, then His Kingdom has come. "Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10) His presence will please us when we are in His Heavenly Kingdom, and when we please Him, His Kingdom is with us in this world. Whatever we do and wherever we go, we do the good work the Lord has given us for His pleasure. "Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve." (2 Corinthians 4:6)
It is not hard work as we are His instrument in the hand of a loving God. We are the tool He uses to deliver His message of love and salvation. He is our witness, and we witness for Him. We are the salt and the light in this world that the world may see a reflection of Him in us. (Matthew 5:13-14) "God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, but now has been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." (2 Timothy 1:8-10)
Thomas N Kirkpatrick
First Baptist Church of Durant, March 28, 2022
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