It isn't HAVE TO!

"Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord.  Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep."

 Rom 12:9-15

This is good advice given by Paul that we are all familiar with. However, there is part of this that we often either overlook or maybe we even downright ignore. In the application of abhorring evil, loving one another, being patient in tribulation; did you notice the part about contributing to the needs of the saints?

We all apply this to money, and any time we use our money in service to God, it draws us closer to God. However, this is not all that it applies to like we want to make it. Any time send a card and write a note of encouragement, I've just invested in the plan of God’s will. When another believer is discouraged and needs somebody to talk to and I buy give a shoulder or an ear, I've done God's will. John writes, "Beloved, it is a faithful thing you do in all your efforts for these brothers, strangers as they are, who testified to your love before the church. You will do well to send them on their journey in a manner worthy of God."

When we invest our money in developing relationships within the Church, it points others to God and gets us closer to one another and to Him. In other words, when you invest in the fellowship of God's house, it helps everyone involved and helps bring people to Christ. Heb.10:24,25 teaches, "encourage one another and provoke one another unto love and good works,  not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." Don't get caught up in "the day," that's another discussion. Pay attention to two things in this passage, encouraging and not neglecting meeting together. Many have been taught that "not neglecting meeting together" is like attendance at school. They make it a "have to" thing and this isn't what God wants at all. It should be a "want to" in our lives as Christians to not only invest in our own spirituality, but to want to do everything that I can, every time that I can to contribute to the needs of others. To not do this is to be self serving and not to consider the will of God above your own.

Do you see a need in God's house?  What are you rising up to do about it? Are you afraid to reach out to others, to invest in their lives? Ask God for help to overcome your fears and trust him with your efforts. Remember, "Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality."

Jim 

OBEDIENCE! or Obedience?

OBEDIENCE!  The very word conjures rebellion in the mind of the hearer. Human psyche automatically responds with thinking of ways not to obey. The Old Testament is replete with God's pleadings with the people to obey and the consequences of not doing so. 

"See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you today, If you will obey me and keep my covenant, you will be my own special treasure from among all nations of the earth; for all the earth belongs to me."

Deut.11:26-28

"Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine..."

Ex. 19:5 

Jesus phrased it this way: "Those who obey my commandments are the ones who love me. And because they love me, my Father will love them, and I will love them (Jn.14:21)."

To speak about obedience in a positive light today's world goes profoundly against the culture at large. Those who speak about it as a good thing, are viewed as "authoritarian," "old school," and other such labels designed to make the person to appear to be a little "off."  People sometimes confuse obedience with "blind obedience," and the person is viewed as not seriously considering the modern way of thinking. Obedience can be and is often confused with "going along with and not asking questions."  Some would say that obedience is "duty" or what is expected.  "Because it says so," is often heard. 

However, obedience really means responsiveness, to hear, to listen, to respond appropriately. It is not the surrender of responsibility to just give yourself over "because you have to." Rather, it is the acceptance of responsibility for what we respond to and how. For those who walk by the Spirit, obedience is a response to grace in appreciation of what God has done for me in that Grace. Peter says that it is the response of a willing heart and good conscience toward God (1 Pet.3:21).  He would know for several reasons. First, he was a follower of the Lord because he thought it was the right thing to do (Jn.6:68,69) . He would learn, that this is not enough to sustain a person's spirit in temptation. Second, he obeyed the Lord at times blindly without considering consequences or reasons (Jn.13:37). He would learn that Satan has no compassion and what being sifted like wheat would mean. Third, he learned that the only obedience that was genuine was when it came from the heart in a response of appreciation of love (Jn.21:12-23).  

Will you?

Jim