|
Unique Men |
Dear Brethren,
Why does God tell us that we
should not compare ourselves with one another? The answer might be a
surprise to some who take their calling in a lighthearted or frivolous manner. God does not grade on a curve. Some make the
mistake of thinking that if, in their estimation, they are in the middle or near
the upper end of the curve, "they have it made." It does not work that
way. God expects us to be unique men and women of faith, not just head and
shoulders above this world's ways, but in a category of God's choosing.
"We dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise." (2Corinthians 10:12)
As Christians, once in a while we should
stop and remember that we have been given exactly what this world desperately
needs. We have been given an earnest of God's Holy Spirit. Through His
Spirit, God gives us the ability to begin to live our lives according to the
principles of Jesus Christ. Without His Holy Spirit, no one is able to
live a Godly life. "God hath also sealed us, and given the
earnest of the Spirit in our hearts." (2Corinthians 1:22)
For anyone to be unique or
different from this world, God has laid out some very strenuous
requirements. What does God require of us? "He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what
doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk
humbly with thy God?" (Micah 6:8)
A great responsibility has been placed upon
us as a result of our having been given a measure of God's Life. What is
that responsibility? What criteria will He follow when judging those
who will be in His Kingdom? What factors indicate to Jesus Christ that we
are living our Christian lives the way he wants us to? "And the King
shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done
it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."
(Matthew 25:40)
As Christians, our primary responsibility is to serve Jesus
Christ by serving others. We serve others primarily by doing everything we
can to help others into the Kingdom of God. Remember, a sizeable
portion of God's Church goes to sleep just before the return of Christ.
That is a warning to us! Serving the "least of these my brethren,"
takes personal sacrifice on each and everyone's part. Paul put it this
way:
"Brethren, I beseech you therefore by the mercies of God, that
ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is
your reasonable service... that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable,
and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:1-2)
Jesus Christ was a
unique man. Those who have received the Spirit of God are also to be
unique men. Jesus does not ask us to do something He was not willing to do
Himself. He showed us exactly what it takes to be in His Father's
Kingdom. "For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also
suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:"
(1Peter 2:21)
Large numbers of people were converted during the early days of the
Church. What was their attitude toward one another? "And they,
continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to
house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God,
and having favor with all the people…" (Acts 2:46-47)
Their example to us does not exhibit competition or division.
"One accord, and singleness of heart," indicates that they were serving
each other, and that they were willing to overlook differences of opinion in
order to have spiritually profitable relationships. Sorrowfully,
throughout the Churches of God today, we see anything but "one accord and
singleness of heart." "Why dost thou judge
thy brother? or why dost thou set at naught thy brother? for we shall all stand
before the judgment seat of Christ... So then every one of us shall give account
of himself to God." (Romans 14:10-12) We are not allowed to
neglect the, "least of these my brethren."
All who are led by God’s Holy Spirit are unique Children of God.
As we endeavor to keep ourselves doctrinally sound, let's be sure we are
actually, in practice, living our faith. Are we patient with
those who do not understand, or have fallen into doctrinal error? Do
we become involved and restore a brother who has shown unchristian
behavior? We are our brother's keeper - be they ministers or the
least of the brethren. "Brethren, if a
man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the
spirit of meekness." (Galatians 6:1) "Open
rebuke is better than secret love." (Proverbs 27:5)
Let’s treat them as brothers and sisters in Christ. And let’s do our
very best to care for those of the "household of faith" - especially those who
are scattered, homebound, or needy. "What doth the LORD thy God
require of thee, but to revere the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to
love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy
soul." (Deuteronomy 10:12) If we do these things, we are unique
men.
***
Sermon: |
"Unique Men"
|
|
|
|