by David Brenneman
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." Matthew 5:14-16.
Our journey in this life in Christ is meant to display the love of God to a world bent on turning away from God.
Our day-to-day isn't really ours to spend on ourselves. A company may lay claims and after a period of time hand over funds in exchange for services rendered...but to the Believer, it's still work done as unto the Lord.
"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.
"And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed; as it is written, “He scattered abroad, he gave to the poor, His righteousness endures forever.” Now He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness; you will be enriched in everything for all liberality, which through us is producing thanksgiving to God." 2 Corinthians 9:8-11.
Grace meaning unmeritted favor...did you notice it extends to giving? To the fact and truth that God will continue to bless as we bless others? That should we withhold blessing others what the result for us shall be?
We see what manner of living that Jesus did in the Gospels...do we see evidence of that in our lives?
We have the Spirit as our Teacher and our Guide...but it's on us to obey in delivering on living it out.
There's nothing to be gained by withholding blessing others...and everything to lose.
We can't comprehend the magnitude of our impact in the world that God has established us in. We are who we are, where we are, in order to both grow in Christ and to fulfill our mission in the Church that's ours to be doing. That is, to let our light shine before men in such a way that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven.
It's not about our personal recognition. Nor should it ever be.
It's about Jesus and Him glorified.
Our situations are going to be diverse but we all have one Spirit working out details of the plan of God in each of us. We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works that we might walk in them. We aren't His part-time job we are under His full attention at all times.
"Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift." Ephesians 4:1-7.
Take a breath, take a step back.
Ask what the Spirit would have you to be doing and pursue it as unto the Lord Jesus Christ.
We won't know this side of Heaven just what all is being accomplished for the Kingdom of God.
When Jesus returns...be found by Him a doer of the Word.
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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