January 9, 2006

 

You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. You therefore must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one engaged in warfare entangles himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who enlisted him as a soldier. And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. The hardworking farmer must be first to partake of the crops. --2 Timothy 2:1-6

 

I believe every woman and man needs to ask themselves: If everyone gave like me, served the Lord like me, prayed like me, and witnessed to others like me, where would the body of Christ be? It is imperative that believers be accessible and available to the Lordship of Christ in their lives.

 

I truly believe if Christians will determine to become spiritually motivated, morally pure, and strong in their faith to God, their families, and the Good News of Christ, then the world has yet to see what God can do with believers all over the world. There are certain marks to look for in a strong believer in the Lord: maturity, stability, authenticity, vitality, integrity, and purity.

 

I challenge you to be willing to put the effort into the work of becoming a faithful follower of Christ. Second Timothy 2:21 says, “Therefore if anyone cleanses himself…he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.” Have you set that as a goal for your life? Unfortunately, there are too many celebrities in the Christian kingdom and not enough servants.

 

If you want to be a real man or woman of God, then there is no shortcut around a consistent, persistent study of Scripture and faithful servanthood to Jesus Christ. A cantankerous Christian is an insult to God. A carnal, critical Christian is an insult to the church of Jesus Christ. We are his servants, so instead of bearing an argumentative, fractious attitude, we should bear the characteristics of humility and submission. Ask God to make you a servant today.

 

ISN’T IT ABOUT TIME YOU SELL OUT TO THE LORD JESUS CHRIST AS A MAN OR WOMAN OF GOD?