JUST DO IT!

You have probably heard the expression, “success comes by ten percent inspiration and ninety percent perspiration”. The Apostle James said it more directly, “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” (James 2:26 AV) The word “work” seems to carry with it some sort of curse; no one wants to work and are glad to finish their tour of duty each day, and for the week to look forward to the weekend, not to mention that two week vacation each year.

The Apostle Paul had it this way: “For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. (2 Thessalonians 3:10 AV) It appears here that we are talking life itself; no work, no food. What then? Without food we die. So work is a matter of life and death. If it were not for the many “Soup Kitchens” in our cities there would be many that would die on the streets of malnutrition. The world systems reward people based on the value of their work with little concern about their personal ways and means.

God on the other hand is more concerned about people’s ways and means, caring little about what value their labors represent. The reason being that the work of God’s Kingdom has not to do with the labors of the world, but rather with that of His Son and His Church. These two different sorts of work bring two sorts of reaction from folks. As God’s children we know that we are in the world, but not of it, and from this point of view we can see what is expected of us spiritually and materially.

Though we are not happy campers when it comes to punching the clock every morning in this world, we still faithfully obey the demand of food and shelter and punch the clock day after day until the weekend when we can rest, that wonderful Sabbath rest that God ordained for us. Part of the joy of this rest is to join with others who are also enjoying their rest. Many testimonies of the ordeals of the week are shared, which helps each other to feel that we are not alone in this world of labor, Praise our wonderful Lord! And then after church we go with some of the brethren to a nice restaurant for a leisurely, delicious meal.

Now right here is where we get into a bind. When God said that faith without works is dead, He was not talking about our work in the world’s kingdoms, but work in His Kingdom of love and eternal life. We have worked faithfully to profit the world, but not for God’s Kingdom. Our work for God is to preach the Gospel to the lost in the world. Why have we neglected His work? Is it not because we have put the world first and God last?

The same people who all week long have labored for their bosses, when asked by the Pastor or a Deacon to take an evening or part of the weekend to do some visiting in search of the lost who need to hear God’s Word or some sick folk, are suddenly too tired or busy with family to help. This is a trap of the enemy, a temptation to make excuses for selfish reasons, surely to rest on the Sabbath is expected of a Christian, so now what does our Lord say about an unfruitful tree?

“He spake also this parable; A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard; and he came and sought fruit thereon, and found none. Then said he unto the dresser of his vineyard, Behold, these three years I come seeking fruit on this fig tree, and find none: cut it down; why cumbereth it the ground? And he answering said unto him, Lord, let it alone this year also, till I shall dig about it, and dung it: And if it bear fruit, well: and if not, then after that thou shalt cut it down.” (Luke 13:6-9 AV)

If Christians used the same faith they exhibit on their daily job in performing duties for their Boss, in working for the Lord, imagine how many souls might be saved. Instead of making excuses we Christians need to review what God asks of us and then, JUST DO IT! Once this barrier is broken there will be a flow of God’s Spirit that will provide power for the next chance to serve Him. When? In the next step we take in this world that’s full of needy, lost souls that need to hear what God has done for us.

Yes, WE MUST JUST DO IT; it is a matter of life and death for the lost and for the Christian who now can eat life of the Body and Blood of Christ, our Savior, Lord and King.

WTL Ministry Feb. 26, 2003 www.wtlministry.org Help us link: www.wtlministry.org/invitationtohelp.htm