The WORD of God commands GOD’s children to do everything
in life heartily and with joy.
Whether we are working at our jobs, in our
homes, doing church ministries or on the mission fields, without exception, our
attitude ought to suggest to any observer that we are working for or serving
the LORD JESUS CHRIST Himself.
The Message Bible (MSG) translation of Philippians 2: 14-16 reads: Do everything readily and cheerfully—no
bickering, no second-guessing allowed! Go out into the world uncorrupted, a
breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a
glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message
into the night so I’ll have good cause to be proud of you on the day that
Christ returns. You’ll be living proof that I didn’t go to all this work for nothing.
Grumbling, complaining, peevishness, fretfulness, resentments,
irritation, anxiety, frustration and other like attitudes that define our daily
lifestyle are sinful and unacceptable behaviors for a child of God. Our role in
the Kingdom of God is similar to that of a country’s ambassador – the definition
of which is: a diplomatic official
of the highest rank sent by a government to represent it on a temporary
mission, an authorized messenger or representative
(Dictionary.com).
We are the Father’s “highest” ranking, best qualified
agents on temporary assignment here on earth with a mission to take the message
of hope, peace, and love to the world, exactly as the Father and Son equipped us
to do:
- Be living proof that John 3:16-17 is a light-giving Message – flesh and blood evidence to the world that what the invisible GOD has done through His Son wasn’t for nothing. Any behaviors, values and attitudes on our part that do not exactly mirror the AUTHORITY we represent corrupt and compromise our message and give the world a false vision of the Messenger.
The Gospel narrative of Martha and Mary, demonstrates
that our obsession with misplaced obligations and a worldly vision of working for the LORD can cloud our vision to what the LORD really requires of us
and cause us undue hardship
.
Jesus’ loving reprimand to Martha is meant to refocus her
attention to what is truly priority in the life of a believer – being in the
presence of CHRIST Himself and letting HIM pour into us, the one thing worth being concerned about. More
important than the many details involved in our doing for CHRIST is His doing for
us. The favor of God is needful to our
happiness; the salvation of Christ is needful to our safety. Where this is
attended to, all other things will be rightly pursued. (Excerpt from Matthew Henry’s commentary on
Martha.)
Our days ought not to be centered on the details of
serving but on continually deepening our relationship with CHRIST, our Oasis of
peace and contentment in a world of chaos and confusion. In HM alone do we have
the peace that passed understanding – Shalom,
health and wholeness of spirit and mind. “I’m
leaving you well and whole. That’s my parting gift to you. Peace.
I don’t leave you the way you’re used to being left—feeling abandoned, bereft.
So don’t be upset. Don’t be distraught.” John
14:27 (MSG)
When our relationship with CHRIST has the right order
of place in our lives, we will find that:
- Our lives and service happen with CHRIST beside us instead of with HIM as just the object of what we are doing.
- With CHRIST as our Kingdom serving companion we would never suffer feelings of abandonment, or be bereft, upset and distraught.
- In all situations we will have peace within ourselves and with others.
- Our transformation would add credibility to our message of the Good News – that CHRIST JESUS died to set free the burdened and battered so they could have the fullness of life and power that comes from God our Father. (Ephesians 3:19)
- Then would we be the type of ambassadors of whom the Father would have good cause to be proud on the day that Christ returns.
Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving
the Lord. Romans 12:11
To
be continued…
Prayer and Thanksgiving: Holy Father, YOU are the ONE Eternal and Living GOD and King. Thank
you for giving us CHRIST JESUS and the HOLY SPIRIT to work alongside us to
bring your message of peace and hope to the world. Help us to always represent
you faithfully in presenting the gospel message of goodwill, peace and liberty to
all men. Forgive us for ungodly behaviors and attitudes that present you to the
world as a hash task Master when your desire is for us to enjoy fullness
of life and power that comes only from YOU, our God and Father. Truly YOU
deserve all dominion, all power and all glory, for ever and
ever. We pray and ask all things in the precious Name of Jesus Christ our LORD
and SAVIOR. Amen!
Always by God’s Word and prayer,
Cecile
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