WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO
WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO
INDEX:
- MISUNDERSTANDING MOTIVES
- COMMON WRONG MOTIVE SNARES
-THE CALL OF FAITH AND THE BURDEN OF LOVE
THE CALLING
THE BURNING WORD
THE ZEAL OF THE LORD
THE HEART FOR THE LOST
FOR THE LOVE OF JESUS
LOVE, THE DRIVING FORCE
- WHERE DO I FIT IN?
- CONCLUSION
"For God so LOVED the world that He GAVE His only Begotten Son, so that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
"For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober(sound mind)it is for your sakes. For the Love of God constrains us; because we thus judge, that if One died for all, , then all were dead. And that He died for all, that they which live , should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for then, and rose again " 2 Corinthians 5:13-15
"A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another; as I have love you, that you love one another." John 13:34
MISUNDERSTANDING MOTIVES
It is interesting how we can interpret the actions of others. I am not referring to when we are being nasty, but when we, out of genuine bewilderment or curiosity, question or attempt to evaluate the motives of others. One possible reason why they may perplex us is that the incentive for us to do the same is not readily active in us, at least not at that time. You may have heard remarks of people saying that all the hardships the Apostle Paul endured was because he was feeling guilty for how he treated the Christians before he was converted.
When we see someone working hard in the Gospel work, we might think it may be because they are working to gain points with the Lord and to be more righteous, or perhaps because they have a guilty conscience. If these are the reasons, and with some people that may very well be, then there is a reason to have a huge concern. There are times that their actions are merely a reflection of that individual's character. What should be the real driving force behind the work we do for Jesus?
COMMON WRONG MOTIVE SNARES:
ULTERIOR MOTIVES
"I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me." Romans 7:21
This is an abiding curse of the human condition and why we need His grace to walk in humility and the fear of the Lord in order to combat these tendencies. Nevertheless, regardless of the fight within we relentlessly press in by faith to move forward in Christ Jesus.
PRIDE - "For who makes you different from another? What do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did receive, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?" 1 Corinthians 4:7
We are all too familiar with pride. Although we may not readily recognize it while it is active in us, it is usually very obvious to others. I personally believe that is why it is important to listen to complaints and criticism against our self. We all have blind spots. Years ago I read a statement by Corrie ten Boom where she said that, "Our critics are the watchdogs of our souls." "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid." Proverbs 12:1 NIV
As an example of the importance of genuine humility, for Apostle Paul it would appear that the Lord had to send a messenger of Satan to keep him humble. "And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure." 2 Corinthians 12:7
Because of the weight of the revelations that he received, the Lord needed to help him in this area of restraining his pride. As for the rest of us the Scriptures tell us to "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord..." James 4:10 Remember, all the workings of Christ in our lives must be worked through our flesh. "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels." 2 Corinthians 4:7 So although the Lord has quickened you to do something, it does not mean that you are expressing it without fault. For an added note, because of this we must be careful not to be too quick to discard something that is supposedly of the Holy Spirit, but appears to be out of order, or has error. On the day of Pentecost, when the Lord poured out His Holy Spirit on the disciples, people seeing this thought they were drunk. What do you think they were observing, and not that the disciples were out of order in anyway? Acts 2:13,15
Furthermore, It is important to have things pointed out about ourselves that are what we need to hear rather than what we want to hear. How quickly and subtly pride can enter in and taint even the noblest of endeavors! Some signs of pride are: having to be right, being incorrigible, argumentative, disregarding the views of others, having to be first and having the pre-eminence, having the last say, being superior or being condescending... (I wonder where I got these from).
SELFISH AMBITION AND GAIN- Selfish ambition creeps in when we see gain of some kind for ourselves. It could be perhaps for public recognition, or maybe a way of making financial profit. If we are serving the Lord with any intention for personal gain, our service is in danger of being corrupted and dishonoring His most Worthy Name. Gehazi, Elisha's understudy/servant, fell into the trap of covetousness when an opportunity for gain was turned down by Elisha after the Lord healed Naaman the Syrian general. It cost Gehazi his health. 2 Kings 5:20-27
AMBITION FOR LEADERSHIP- "This is a true saying, 'If a man desire the office of a bishop(elder), he desires a good work. A bishop must be...'" 1 Timothy 3:1-9
"And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be counted the greatest. And He(Jesus) said to them, 'The kings of the gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But you shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as He that serves.'" Luke 22:24-26
Before God, leadership should be from a desire to serve, not to rule. No doubt God puts it on the hearts of individuals to be leaders, but He demands that our motives be that of serving others for Jesus, and putting ourselves last. This is not a hard or unreasonable requirement. The danger is if it is an ambition and not a calling, or if the ambition supersedes the call, then the tendency will lean to work filled with personal agenda and personal directives. What quickly follows are jealously, insecurity regarding actual or assumed opposition and question. This type of leadership has a higher risk of surrounding itself with an entourage of "Yes" men, and will try to take out anyone that seems to threaten his or her position. King Saul fell into this, even though he had begun his rule with humility.
BEING A PEOPLE PLEASER - "...For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10 King Saul also fell into this trap which cost him the kingdom 1 Samuel 15:19-21,30 He made a decision to please his men at the cost of disobeying God.
In the service of Christ we are to fear God more than man. It is easy to defer before the faces of people since we want people to like us, and the things of God and the Word of God can be very offensive or unreasonable to the carnal mind. In the end, to give in to the fear of man, we not only wrong God, but we also wrong the people who need to hear what He has to say, or to see a godly example.
THE LUST FOR POWER - Aside from being a leader, a person of influence has the advantage of having power over others. This can be a shocking self-realization if the opportunity and occasion arises. If we find our self in a place where we have power over others it can become a huge test of our integrity. Simon the sorcerer, even after he got saved (became a believer in Jesus) coveted the ability to pray for people to receive the Holy Spirit the way Peter and John demonstrated. Peter severely rebuked and warned him of the wickedness of his lust for power. Acts 8:9-24
King David is another example of being refined through suffering years of hardship and humiliation before entering the office as the mighty King of Israel. If he had any tendency to lust for power he clearly defeated it when he twice had an opportunity to slay King Saul who was trying to kill him. In the fear of God flatly refused to do so. He knew that having power over someone does not give us the right to use it at our discretion.
If we look at the Apostle Peter whom God used for incredible miracles, whose shadow healed people Acts 5:15, and who raised the dead... Acts (9:36-42) we see no arrogance or power playing. Nevertheless, the whole world knows that it was declared in all four of the Gospels how Peter had denied knowing Jesus three times. He became so broken, that when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples, the Holy Spirit flowed out of Him with powerful anointing, and never did He take that credit for himself. "Then Peter said, 'Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.'... And when Peter saw it, he answered the people, 'You men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why do you look so earnestly on us as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?'" Acts 3:6,12
As a side note, if God is preparing you for something, He will likely have to lead you through a valley of discipline and hardships to develop a sustainable character for the work to which He calls you. Regardless, just for us to make it through our life by faith in Him, we may have to undergo some discipline and training. He is faithful and will do what it takes to stabilize us in our faith and lead us safely home.
THE CALL OF FAITH, AND THE BURDEN OF LOVE
"For though I preach the Gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I preach not the Gospel!" 1 Corinthians 9:16
THE CALLING
- First there is the calling, where God calls people to do specific tasks. He then anoints them, He equips them, He opens the door, and then thrusts them into the arena. If you have ever tried to push yourself into something God has not called you to, you will find out eventually how futile it is. Be thankful, because rationally, you do not want to be doing something He has not ordained for you to do. I wanted to have a ministry like the Apostle Paul, but no matter how hard I tried, the Lord took me in a completely different direction. I was so frustrated. Actually, it took me years to figure it out. So I finally settled down and got married, got a regular job, and raised a family. Praise the Lord! That suited me perfectly, but I still tell people about Jesus whenever and wherever I can.
"So then, it is not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God that shows mercy." Romans 9:16
THE BURNING WORD
- "Then I said, 'I will not make mention of Him, nor speak any more in His name. But His Word was in my heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay (contain it any longer).'" Jeremiah 20:9
"I said, 'I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. I was dumb with silence. I held my peace, even from good, and my sorrow was stirred. My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then I spoke with my tongue...'" Psalm 139:1-3
When God plants His word in our hearts it wants to come out to accomplish that for which He had sent it. "So shall my word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." Isaiah 55:12
The apostles, when commanded by the Sanhedrin not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus, Peter and John answered saying, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather that to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking what we have seen and heard." Acts 4:18-20 NAS When The Holy Spirit plants His Word in someone, they will speak somehow.
THE ZEAL OF THE LORD
- "I am a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my own mother's sons; for the zeal of Your house consumes me." Psalm 69:8-9
This verse is prophetic of Jesus when He made a scourge and cleared out the money changers out of the temple. John 2:14-17 This same zeal burns in the hearts of many of His disciples to this day. If you look at the tribe of Levi, who was selected for the work of the ministry and the priesthood, this was the characteristic they possessed and why the Lord selected them and separated them from all the other tribes. Consider this prophetic blessing Moses gave them: "About Levi He says, 'Your Thummim and Urim belong to the man you favored. You tested him at Massah; You contended with him at the waters of Meribah. He said of his father and mother, 'I have no regard for them.' He did not recognize his brothers or acknowledge his own children, but he watched over Your word and guarded Your covenant. He teaches Your precepts to Jacob and Your law to Israel. He offers incense before You and whole burnt offerings on Your altar. Bless all his skills, O Lord, and be pleased with the work of his hands. Smite the loins of those who rise up against him; strike his foes till they rise no more.'" Deuteronomy 33:8-11NIV
Note the fierce dedication to the Lord, but also how seriously intent one needs to be before God in order to carry His Word and represent Him to the people. Although we are under a different covenant in Christ Jesus, and we are not called to do what they did to earn that place of acceptance before the Lord (Exodus 32:26-28), Jesus expects no less dedication from us, especially those who serve. "He who loves father or mother more that Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me." Matthew 10:37-38 NAS
"Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially that who labour in the word and doctrine." 1 Timothy 5:17
One may wonder why God makes such a demand. It is because of matchless seriousness of the unavoidable accountability each and every person will render to God and the ETERNAL JUDGMENT ensuing. His will must be made known to all, and upheld!!! Can you imagine if Billy Graham was unfaithful to his call to preach the Gospel. He, in his generation, preached the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to the entire world. For decades he traveled all over the world preaching the Gospel, pointing untold millions to Jesus, the DOOR to Heaven ("I [Jesus] am the Door." John 10:9)
THE HEART FOR THE LOST
- "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Luke 19:10
"I say to you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents, more that over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance." Luke 15:7
The main reason that Jesus came was to win the lost back to Himself, basically to SAVE THE WORLD (that is the feat that every super hero aspires to, but only Jesus Christ is qualified). God is not willing that any perish, but that they come to repentance and the knowledge of the truth 1 Timothy 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9 Because of this call, the immeasurable value of a single human soul, and the burning desire to see everyone hear about Jesus and get saved, since the days of the first apostles, Christians have suffered untold hardships, sacrificed everything, and laid down their lives to reach the lost for Christ. Two young Moravian missionaries called back to their loved ones as they were boarding a ship to sell themselves as slaves on an Island in the West Indies saying, "May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His sufferings." Saving the precious lives and souls of people perishing is the reward of Jesus' sufferings, and they are worth reaching out to, even as others reached out to us. These two did this because they heard that the slaves' master would not even allow them to hear the Gospel. They felt the only way they could reach them is if they became slaves themselves. There are varying stories of how it turned out, but the fact of the manner is, is that they went.
FOR THE LOVE OF JESUS - THE CALL - "...as My Father has sent Me, even so I send you." John 20:21
The Lord puts it on a person's heart to reach out to the lost, the poor, the needy, and out of faith, hope, and love, he or she responds. I was watching a special about Mother Theresa on TV some years ago, and she was telling the interviewer that while leaving on a train in India, she said that the Lord spoke to her and told her that He wanted her to go back to Calcutta and help the poor people in the slums of Calcutta. That is how her amazing mission began. It begins with a call form God, a concern, a burden, and it grows into a work of His amazing love and grace.
- David Livingston, the famous Missionary and Explorer to Africa, was burdened by three things: primarily to preach the Gospel to the peoples of Africa, to end the evil slave trade, and to find the source of the Nile. For these he gave his life.
- George Muller's life ambition was to be a missionary. However his plan was interrupted by the pressing needs of orphans. He tended to them without making a single request to any person. Instead he made all his appeals by prayer directly to their Heavenly Father for all their needs. Before he was finally released to serve as a missionary in his latter years, he fed and cared for over 10,000 orphans.
- Amy Carmichael, a single woman who struggled with constant and severe physical illnesses served 55 years (without a furlough) as a missionary to India. In one article I read, during her life she rescued over a thousand girls (and boys) from temple prostitution.
There are countless more and untold true to life stories of the feats of faith, love, and harsh sacrifice that the saints of Jesus have lived out, and are still living out, to be His mouth, hands and feet to reach a lost and hurting world.
LOVE, THE DRIVING FORCE - It begins with a total devotion and love for our Amazing Savior Who laid down His life for us in complete Selfless love. When He calls us to reach out to others, we may not initially feel that love for them, but be absolutely assured, He will indeed pour out His love for them into us, and then His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. Brothers and sisters, take up your cross and heed His call to follow Him. Your destiny is heaven - share it with others that it may be theirs also, and be attentive to the burdens and hardships of the world in which you live!
WHERE DO I FIT IN?
Dear friends. If you are doing all that you can for Him, and it does not look like any of these, be at peace. You are likely in the center of His will. If we do what we can with all our heart and we are being obedient (no one is faultless) He is already using you for His glory, and a light to those in darkness. As I mentioned, I myself tried to model my life after these types of service, but He never opened a door outside of what I was already doing (or I could have missed it). Nevertheless, it may seem insignificant by comparison, but it is my offering and my joy returned to Him. I am content with making that do as my very best expression of faith and love. If He is calling you to expand past your borders, do not hesitate and miss your boat.
CONCLUSION - I thought that this statement, apparently by Mother Theresa, would be a suitable for this topic:
People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
Forgive them anyways.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyways.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
INDEX:
- MISUNDERSTANDING MOTIVES
- COMMON WRONG MOTIVE SNARES
-THE CALL OF FAITH AND THE BURDEN OF LOVE
THE CALLING
THE BURNING WORD
THE ZEAL OF THE LORD
THE HEART FOR THE LOST
FOR THE LOVE OF JESUS
LOVE, THE DRIVING FORCE
- WHERE DO I FIT IN?
- CONCLUSION
"For God so LOVED the world that He GAVE His only Begotten Son, so that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." John 3:16
"For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober(sound mind)it is for your sakes. For the Love of God constrains us; because we thus judge, that if One died for all, , then all were dead. And that He died for all, that they which live , should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto Him which died for then, and rose again " 2 Corinthians 5:13-15
"A new commandment I give unto you, that you love one another; as I have love you, that you love one another." John 13:34
MISUNDERSTANDING MOTIVES
It is interesting how we can interpret the actions of others. I am not referring to when we are being nasty, but when we, out of genuine bewilderment or curiosity, question or attempt to evaluate the motives of others. One possible reason why they may perplex us is that the incentive for us to do the same is not readily active in us, at least not at that time. You may have heard remarks of people saying that all the hardships the Apostle Paul endured was because he was feeling guilty for how he treated the Christians before he was converted.
When we see someone working hard in the Gospel work, we might think it may be because they are working to gain points with the Lord and to be more righteous, or perhaps because they have a guilty conscience. If these are the reasons, and with some people that may very well be, then there is a reason to have a huge concern. There are times that their actions are merely a reflection of that individual's character. What should be the real driving force behind the work we do for Jesus?
COMMON WRONG MOTIVE SNARES:
ULTERIOR MOTIVES
"I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me." Romans 7:21
This is an abiding curse of the human condition and why we need His grace to walk in humility and the fear of the Lord in order to combat these tendencies. Nevertheless, regardless of the fight within we relentlessly press in by faith to move forward in Christ Jesus.
PRIDE - "For who makes you different from another? What do you have that you did not receive? Now if you did receive, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?" 1 Corinthians 4:7
We are all too familiar with pride. Although we may not readily recognize it while it is active in us, it is usually very obvious to others. I personally believe that is why it is important to listen to complaints and criticism against our self. We all have blind spots. Years ago I read a statement by Corrie ten Boom where she said that, "Our critics are the watchdogs of our souls." "Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid." Proverbs 12:1 NIV
As an example of the importance of genuine humility, for Apostle Paul it would appear that the Lord had to send a messenger of Satan to keep him humble. "And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure." 2 Corinthians 12:7
Because of the weight of the revelations that he received, the Lord needed to help him in this area of restraining his pride. As for the rest of us the Scriptures tell us to "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord..." James 4:10 Remember, all the workings of Christ in our lives must be worked through our flesh. "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels." 2 Corinthians 4:7 So although the Lord has quickened you to do something, it does not mean that you are expressing it without fault. For an added note, because of this we must be careful not to be too quick to discard something that is supposedly of the Holy Spirit, but appears to be out of order, or has error. On the day of Pentecost, when the Lord poured out His Holy Spirit on the disciples, people seeing this thought they were drunk. What do you think they were observing, and not that the disciples were out of order in anyway? Acts 2:13,15
Furthermore, It is important to have things pointed out about ourselves that are what we need to hear rather than what we want to hear. How quickly and subtly pride can enter in and taint even the noblest of endeavors! Some signs of pride are: having to be right, being incorrigible, argumentative, disregarding the views of others, having to be first and having the pre-eminence, having the last say, being superior or being condescending... (I wonder where I got these from).
SELFISH AMBITION AND GAIN- Selfish ambition creeps in when we see gain of some kind for ourselves. It could be perhaps for public recognition, or maybe a way of making financial profit. If we are serving the Lord with any intention for personal gain, our service is in danger of being corrupted and dishonoring His most Worthy Name. Gehazi, Elisha's understudy/servant, fell into the trap of covetousness when an opportunity for gain was turned down by Elisha after the Lord healed Naaman the Syrian general. It cost Gehazi his health. 2 Kings 5:20-27
AMBITION FOR LEADERSHIP- "This is a true saying, 'If a man desire the office of a bishop(elder), he desires a good work. A bishop must be...'" 1 Timothy 3:1-9
"And there was also a strife among them, which of them should be counted the greatest. And He(Jesus) said to them, 'The kings of the gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. But you shall not be so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as He that serves.'" Luke 22:24-26
Before God, leadership should be from a desire to serve, not to rule. No doubt God puts it on the hearts of individuals to be leaders, but He demands that our motives be that of serving others for Jesus, and putting ourselves last. This is not a hard or unreasonable requirement. The danger is if it is an ambition and not a calling, or if the ambition supersedes the call, then the tendency will lean to work filled with personal agenda and personal directives. What quickly follows are jealously, insecurity regarding actual or assumed opposition and question. This type of leadership has a higher risk of surrounding itself with an entourage of "Yes" men, and will try to take out anyone that seems to threaten his or her position. King Saul fell into this, even though he had begun his rule with humility.
BEING A PEOPLE PLEASER - "...For if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ." Galatians 1:10 King Saul also fell into this trap which cost him the kingdom 1 Samuel 15:19-21,30 He made a decision to please his men at the cost of disobeying God.
In the service of Christ we are to fear God more than man. It is easy to defer before the faces of people since we want people to like us, and the things of God and the Word of God can be very offensive or unreasonable to the carnal mind. In the end, to give in to the fear of man, we not only wrong God, but we also wrong the people who need to hear what He has to say, or to see a godly example.
THE LUST FOR POWER - Aside from being a leader, a person of influence has the advantage of having power over others. This can be a shocking self-realization if the opportunity and occasion arises. If we find our self in a place where we have power over others it can become a huge test of our integrity. Simon the sorcerer, even after he got saved (became a believer in Jesus) coveted the ability to pray for people to receive the Holy Spirit the way Peter and John demonstrated. Peter severely rebuked and warned him of the wickedness of his lust for power. Acts 8:9-24
King David is another example of being refined through suffering years of hardship and humiliation before entering the office as the mighty King of Israel. If he had any tendency to lust for power he clearly defeated it when he twice had an opportunity to slay King Saul who was trying to kill him. In the fear of God flatly refused to do so. He knew that having power over someone does not give us the right to use it at our discretion.
If we look at the Apostle Peter whom God used for incredible miracles, whose shadow healed people Acts 5:15, and who raised the dead... Acts (9:36-42) we see no arrogance or power playing. Nevertheless, the whole world knows that it was declared in all four of the Gospels how Peter had denied knowing Jesus three times. He became so broken, that when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the disciples, the Holy Spirit flowed out of Him with powerful anointing, and never did He take that credit for himself. "Then Peter said, 'Silver and gold have I none, but such as I have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.'... And when Peter saw it, he answered the people, 'You men of Israel, why do you marvel at this? Or why do you look so earnestly on us as though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk?'" Acts 3:6,12
As a side note, if God is preparing you for something, He will likely have to lead you through a valley of discipline and hardships to develop a sustainable character for the work to which He calls you. Regardless, just for us to make it through our life by faith in Him, we may have to undergo some discipline and training. He is faithful and will do what it takes to stabilize us in our faith and lead us safely home.
THE CALL OF FAITH, AND THE BURDEN OF LOVE
"For though I preach the Gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yes, woe is me if I preach not the Gospel!" 1 Corinthians 9:16
THE CALLING
- First there is the calling, where God calls people to do specific tasks. He then anoints them, He equips them, He opens the door, and then thrusts them into the arena. If you have ever tried to push yourself into something God has not called you to, you will find out eventually how futile it is. Be thankful, because rationally, you do not want to be doing something He has not ordained for you to do. I wanted to have a ministry like the Apostle Paul, but no matter how hard I tried, the Lord took me in a completely different direction. I was so frustrated. Actually, it took me years to figure it out. So I finally settled down and got married, got a regular job, and raised a family. Praise the Lord! That suited me perfectly, but I still tell people about Jesus whenever and wherever I can.
"So then, it is not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God that shows mercy." Romans 9:16
THE BURNING WORD
- "Then I said, 'I will not make mention of Him, nor speak any more in His name. But His Word was in my heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay (contain it any longer).'" Jeremiah 20:9
"I said, 'I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. I was dumb with silence. I held my peace, even from good, and my sorrow was stirred. My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then I spoke with my tongue...'" Psalm 139:1-3
When God plants His word in our hearts it wants to come out to accomplish that for which He had sent it. "So shall my word be that goes forth out of My mouth: it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." Isaiah 55:12
The apostles, when commanded by the Sanhedrin not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus, Peter and John answered saying, "Whether it is right in the sight of God to give heed to you rather that to God, you be the judge; for we cannot stop speaking what we have seen and heard." Acts 4:18-20 NAS When The Holy Spirit plants His Word in someone, they will speak somehow.
THE ZEAL OF THE LORD
- "I am a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my own mother's sons; for the zeal of Your house consumes me." Psalm 69:8-9
This verse is prophetic of Jesus when He made a scourge and cleared out the money changers out of the temple. John 2:14-17 This same zeal burns in the hearts of many of His disciples to this day. If you look at the tribe of Levi, who was selected for the work of the ministry and the priesthood, this was the characteristic they possessed and why the Lord selected them and separated them from all the other tribes. Consider this prophetic blessing Moses gave them: "About Levi He says, 'Your Thummim and Urim belong to the man you favored. You tested him at Massah; You contended with him at the waters of Meribah. He said of his father and mother, 'I have no regard for them.' He did not recognize his brothers or acknowledge his own children, but he watched over Your word and guarded Your covenant. He teaches Your precepts to Jacob and Your law to Israel. He offers incense before You and whole burnt offerings on Your altar. Bless all his skills, O Lord, and be pleased with the work of his hands. Smite the loins of those who rise up against him; strike his foes till they rise no more.'" Deuteronomy 33:8-11NIV
Note the fierce dedication to the Lord, but also how seriously intent one needs to be before God in order to carry His Word and represent Him to the people. Although we are under a different covenant in Christ Jesus, and we are not called to do what they did to earn that place of acceptance before the Lord (Exodus 32:26-28), Jesus expects no less dedication from us, especially those who serve. "He who loves father or mother more that Me is not worthy of Me; and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me." Matthew 10:37-38 NAS
"Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially that who labour in the word and doctrine." 1 Timothy 5:17
One may wonder why God makes such a demand. It is because of matchless seriousness of the unavoidable accountability each and every person will render to God and the ETERNAL JUDGMENT ensuing. His will must be made known to all, and upheld!!! Can you imagine if Billy Graham was unfaithful to his call to preach the Gospel. He, in his generation, preached the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to the entire world. For decades he traveled all over the world preaching the Gospel, pointing untold millions to Jesus, the DOOR to Heaven ("I [Jesus] am the Door." John 10:9)
THE HEART FOR THE LOST
- "For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost." Luke 19:10
"I say to you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents, more that over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance." Luke 15:7
The main reason that Jesus came was to win the lost back to Himself, basically to SAVE THE WORLD (that is the feat that every super hero aspires to, but only Jesus Christ is qualified). God is not willing that any perish, but that they come to repentance and the knowledge of the truth 1 Timothy 2:4, 2 Peter 3:9 Because of this call, the immeasurable value of a single human soul, and the burning desire to see everyone hear about Jesus and get saved, since the days of the first apostles, Christians have suffered untold hardships, sacrificed everything, and laid down their lives to reach the lost for Christ. Two young Moravian missionaries called back to their loved ones as they were boarding a ship to sell themselves as slaves on an Island in the West Indies saying, "May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His sufferings." Saving the precious lives and souls of people perishing is the reward of Jesus' sufferings, and they are worth reaching out to, even as others reached out to us. These two did this because they heard that the slaves' master would not even allow them to hear the Gospel. They felt the only way they could reach them is if they became slaves themselves. There are varying stories of how it turned out, but the fact of the manner is, is that they went.
FOR THE LOVE OF JESUS - THE CALL - "...as My Father has sent Me, even so I send you." John 20:21
The Lord puts it on a person's heart to reach out to the lost, the poor, the needy, and out of faith, hope, and love, he or she responds. I was watching a special about Mother Theresa on TV some years ago, and she was telling the interviewer that while leaving on a train in India, she said that the Lord spoke to her and told her that He wanted her to go back to Calcutta and help the poor people in the slums of Calcutta. That is how her amazing mission began. It begins with a call form God, a concern, a burden, and it grows into a work of His amazing love and grace.
- David Livingston, the famous Missionary and Explorer to Africa, was burdened by three things: primarily to preach the Gospel to the peoples of Africa, to end the evil slave trade, and to find the source of the Nile. For these he gave his life.
- George Muller's life ambition was to be a missionary. However his plan was interrupted by the pressing needs of orphans. He tended to them without making a single request to any person. Instead he made all his appeals by prayer directly to their Heavenly Father for all their needs. Before he was finally released to serve as a missionary in his latter years, he fed and cared for over 10,000 orphans.
- Amy Carmichael, a single woman who struggled with constant and severe physical illnesses served 55 years (without a furlough) as a missionary to India. In one article I read, during her life she rescued over a thousand girls (and boys) from temple prostitution.
There are countless more and untold true to life stories of the feats of faith, love, and harsh sacrifice that the saints of Jesus have lived out, and are still living out, to be His mouth, hands and feet to reach a lost and hurting world.
LOVE, THE DRIVING FORCE - It begins with a total devotion and love for our Amazing Savior Who laid down His life for us in complete Selfless love. When He calls us to reach out to others, we may not initially feel that love for them, but be absolutely assured, He will indeed pour out His love for them into us, and then His yoke is easy, and His burden is light. Brothers and sisters, take up your cross and heed His call to follow Him. Your destiny is heaven - share it with others that it may be theirs also, and be attentive to the burdens and hardships of the world in which you live!
WHERE DO I FIT IN?
Dear friends. If you are doing all that you can for Him, and it does not look like any of these, be at peace. You are likely in the center of His will. If we do what we can with all our heart and we are being obedient (no one is faultless) He is already using you for His glory, and a light to those in darkness. As I mentioned, I myself tried to model my life after these types of service, but He never opened a door outside of what I was already doing (or I could have missed it). Nevertheless, it may seem insignificant by comparison, but it is my offering and my joy returned to Him. I am content with making that do as my very best expression of faith and love. If He is calling you to expand past your borders, do not hesitate and miss your boat.
CONCLUSION - I thought that this statement, apparently by Mother Theresa, would be a suitable for this topic:
People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
Forgive them anyways.
If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
Be kind anyways.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
Succeed anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
Build anyway.
Build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
Be happy anyway.
Be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
Do good anyway.
Do good anyway.
Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
Give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.
"And now abides faith, hope, and love, these three; but the greatest of these is LOVE." 1 Corinthians 13:13
"This has taught us love - that He gave up His life for us; and we, too, ought to give up our lives for our brothers." 1 John 3:16 Jerusalem Bible
THE ANSWER TO WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO IS - WE DO IT FOR JESUS !!!- "And He said to them, 'Go into all the world, and preach the Gospel to all creation...'" Mark 16:15
"Now the end of the commandment is LOVE out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned (sincere)." 1 Timothy 1:5
We do what we do because we love Jesus, and His Love for people burns in our hearts!
It was never between you and them anyway.
"And now abides faith, hope, and love, these three; but the greatest of these is LOVE." 1 Corinthians 13:13
"This has taught us love - that He gave up His life for us; and we, too, ought to give up our lives for our brothers." 1 John 3:16 Jerusalem Bible
THE ANSWER TO WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO IS - WE DO IT FOR JESUS !!!- "And He said to them, 'Go into all the world, and preach the Gospel to all creation...'" Mark 16:15
"Now the end of the commandment is LOVE out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned (sincere)." 1 Timothy 1:5
We do what we do because we love Jesus, and His Love for people burns in our hearts!
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