February 20, 2015

Working in our salvation...

1 Thessalonians 5:14-15

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

Personal Challenge...

I have been blessed to have been living a Christian life for over 50 years. Most of those years, I have been active in a church and I cannot remember how many times we had problems getting people to serve in the church and to help the body of Christ. After reading this passage again, I think I figured out one of the reasons for this. In the Western church, everyone is so worried about the teaching that we are not saved through our works that maybe we have given everyone permission, and sometimes even commands, to not do any works at all. Throughout the scriptures, we are told that we are to be active in our Christian lives. Look at all of the active verbs in these two verses. The scriptures clearly teach us to do works for our Lord, for our Church, and for our neighbor...not in order to be saved or looked upon better by our Lord, but because He has saved us. We are saved to do good works! Our salvation is worked out in our actions, not our passiveness. We are to go and make disciples. We are to love our neighbor, feed the hungry, clothe the naked, give shelter to the homeless. We are to bring Christ to the lost world. This is all about works, works of service and love for our Lord and in thanks for what He has done for us. Glory be to God!