"And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men. Colossians 3:23
There is an important difference between doing something for people and doing something for God. God always deserves our best effort. People will disappoint us, betray us, neglect us, and mistreat us. Some will constantly ask for what we can give while offering nothing in return. From our human perspective, these people deserve our minimal effort at best. What then should motivate us to serve people, except our love for God? God deserves our love, and He demands that we love others in the same way He does. We are to love our spouses, not as they deserve, but as God commands (Eph. 5:22–33). We are to treat our friends, not as they treat us, but as Christ loves us (John 13:14). We are to labor at our jobs, not in proportion to the way our employer treats us, but according to the way God treats us. God is the One we serve (Eph. 6:5). Mediocrity and laziness have no place in the Christian's life. Christians must maintain integrity at home and in the workplace. Working for God, as opposed to working for other people, changes our perspective as we view our endeavors in light of what He has done for us. Our toil then becomes an offering to God. We not only worship God at church on Sunday, but our labor throughout the week is an offering of worship and thanksgiving to the One who has given us everything we have. When people do not measure up to our expectations and we feel our efforts are being wasted, we must keep in mind that we are toiling for holy God. He is worthy of our best effort." - Blackaby Experiencing God Day by Day
It's wonderfully interesting when God takes 3 days to show you a passage. Several days ago I had been asked what my Life verse was. A significant passage to me in life has been Colossians 3:23-24. So this is what I mentioned. Yesterday we were sharing at a group meeting and I was sharing about that passage. Then today it comes up in my reading of devotionals.
Think maybe it's important?
Let's read.
Colossians 3:22-25 NASB "Slaves, obey those who are your human masters in everything, not with eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. For the one who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality."
This passage outlines my work ethic in its entirety. It behind when I work on anything for anyone. Be it building something from scratch or repairs. Perhaps you have heard the phrase "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right the first time." A version of that is attributed to Philip Stanhope 4th Earl of Chesterfield.
It brings to mind several hymns about whether or not your all is on the altar.
Jesus never gave anything less than 100 percent to His time on Earth for the Father’s business. He taught the Disciples to do the same both in word and by example.
Something that's been somewhat of a conviction to me is to be found doing what it is that God's given to me to be doing when He returns and be found doing it well.
If you knew in advance that while doing something that there would be a test concerning it, would you give it greater thought and effort?
Romans 14:12 NASB "So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God."
There's your warning. Think before you do what you do or say or think. Think? Yes even our thoughts. Jesus said there would be nothing hidden that wouldn't be revealed. Sobering isn't it?
Don't take my word for it. Luke 8:17 NASB "For nothing is concealed that will not become evident, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light.".
Belief in Jesus Christ is technically only temporarily optional. As is our consideration of our ways. We can choose to consider our ways or not. We will still indeed have that final exam at the end which the works done in the body will be revealed for all believers.
We won't be judged on account of sin but on what we DID for Christ Jesus. We who are claiming to be in Christ Jesus are stated in more than one place in the Scriptures as being a part of the living body of Christ. A living body has body parts that DO things. Both small and great. The purpose of the body of Christ is to glorify God the Father in Heaven.
Look in the mirror and take time to reflect. That's not just a pun but a factual action to take. Stare at you for some time. Think on your week you just had. Look back on your month, your year. Does it show you doing anything with the body of Christ?
We who are in Christ have reason to be found doing by Him engaging in that which we were entrusted by the Spirit to be doing. Our works will be tested and all that doesn't survive that test will be burned up.
Are you so busy with life that you pushed God aside? Hmm.
Are you still not attending a Bible believing Bible preaching Church? Hmm.
Are you still absorbed in your desires in life that God only gets minutes of your day if He’s lucky? Hmm.
Are you more knowledgeable about the things of this world, movies, songs, sports, etc than you are of Jesus? Hmm.
What you discovered says a lot about you doesn't it?
Lastly...
1 Thessalonians 5:12-24 NASB "But we ask you, brothers and sisters, to recognize those who diligently labor among you and are in leadership over you in the Lord, and give you instruction, and that you regard them very highly in love because of their work. Live in peace with one another. We urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek what is good for one another and for all people. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit, do not utterly reject prophecies, but examine everything; hold firmly to that which is good, abstain from every form of evil.
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will do it."
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