by David Brenneman
"Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him." 2 Corinthians 5:20-2.
What am I supposed to be doing for Jesus? What's His plan and purpose for me?
From the onset, from the moment you're saved, the Spirit has something in mind for you to be doing for the Kingdom of God. He seals you in Christ for the day of the return of Jesus Christ. He also knows exactly how best you can serve the body of Christ.
Not just in the world but in your own relationships.
Something you should possibly know is that after coming to Christ you're quite possibly going to lose some people from your life. Some are going to be happy for you, some might go as far as to revile you. Mock you, get angry with you.
Expect this in case it happens.
Consider well this from Paul: "But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. But he who is spiritual appraises all things, yet he himself is appraised by no one." 1 Corinthians 2:14-15.
There's just no way those who have no relationship with Jesus are going to understand much of what you now know and understand about your relationship with Jesus. That's why it's so important to live out loud the character of Christ. So that people see our good works and glorify our Father in Heaven. That they see that we have this hope that cannot be extinguished. That we show a love through forgiveness that they've never experienced.
Our live are to be that kind of light.
The light of Jesus Christ is what illuminates us. Not our own but His. It's on us not to hide that light.
The writer of Hebrews in chapter 11 points us to the Hall of Faith. People who went through much in order to be sure that the light of Jesus Christ was going to be seen.
My first full day as a Christian was incredibly hard for me. Those my age were far from kind to me. It honestly took decades to heal from their behavior and words. It's been through the work of the Spirit of God that I am who I am today. Using everything that Satan's minions thought were victories in my life for the good of the cause of Jesus Christ.
In several places in the Scriptures we read of people being drawn up out of the pit. Essentially thinking they were that far separated from God. I do believe that many have gotten it wrong that these same people were dead and were brought back to life. If this were true then I am certain the Spirit would have said as much.
Separation from God is the most horrendous thing ANYONE will ever go through in eternity yet trillions choose that over salvation in Christ Jesus. In 1999 I can look back and see that the Spirit pulled me up out of something that I felt was a pit. I was immersed, drowning in the darkness of Satan's schemes. Spiritually I couldn't breathe. He lifted me up out of that into a newness of life in Christ that was equal to or more than I knew when I first came to Christ in 1974.
Since that day in all that I can, I live for Jesus. Morning's start with being in the Word of God. Praying throughout the day. Listening to what He might be saying to me. Evening's in study Bibles and a few devotionals. I miss nothing that I was called to give up for this kind of life.
You have something for you to be doing in Christ. Begin with your commitment to be in the Word of God and build on this. Add your commitment to be in prayer. Add your willingness to listen and obey. Then see what He wants of you after that. You can't do until you're in training in righteousness.
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.
"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
All NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission.
New American Standard Bible
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