THE WORK OF A CHRISTIAN

Movements come and movements go.  It is interesting to read about the history of the church and about the many revivals that took place all through the years.  People come and people go.  Some are truly changed by these movements and revivals; some are not.  I ask myself what makes the difference in whether a movement lasts and one that doesn’t; if a person in revived or isn’t. 

Jesus’ parable of the sower comes to mind.  It was a matter of where the seed fell that made the difference.  It was the seed that fell on good soil that produced the grain.  It was the one who’s mind was turned to hear and understand God’s word; the one who was rooted in the things of God and not the cares of the world or the deceitfulness of riches that heard the word; the one whose heart was open, not hard or dull.

Robert Murray M’Cheyne said, “A Christian is one who makes another person want to know God”.  Movements and revivals have their place but the real work is done day by day by those of us who follow Jesus and walk daily with God.  It is done by how we live our lives, how we respond to situations and circumstances that come our way.  It is done in our daily interactions with the people we live with, work with, and simply encounter throughout the day.

I am presenting God’s image to the world in everything I say and do.  Is that image loving, caring, merciful, truthful, and full of grace?  God is all of those things and so should I be.  God invites people to be in a relationship with Him; He never forces it through condemnation, guilt, or fear.  Once people get to know and love God they will be changed, through their own initiative.  Once the Spiritual orientation is correct all else will fall into its perfect place.

God’s work for us is “to believe in Him and in Jesus Christ, whom He has sent”.  Then it is to be people who live in a way that encourages and invites others to want to know them too.