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Our Responsibility |
Dear Brethren,
What is our responsibility before God
and man? Once in a while we should stop and remember that we have
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)
A tremendous responsibility has been
placed upon us as a result of our having been given a measure of
God's Life and Power. What is that responsibility? What does God
require of us? What criteria will He follow when judging those who
will be in His Kingdom, and who will not? What indicates 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 must
always be doing everything within our power to help others to be in
the Kingdom of God. Let's also remember that a sizeable portion of
God's Church goes to sleep just before the return of Christ. That
is a huge 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 does not ask us to do
something He was not willing to do Himself. He demonstrated for 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 disposition
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
any 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
enjoy profitable fellowship. Sorrowfully, throughout the Churches
of God today, we see anything but "one accord and singleness of
heart"? Will we have to answer to God for not breaking down the
barriers that separate us? What we are seeing, is the fulfillment
of the prophecy in Matthew 24: 12. "The love of many shall wax
cold."
"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)
Too many of our brethren have unwittingly accepted a "corporate
church religion" instead of a personal faith. We are not allowed
to neglect the, "least of these my brethren."
Some of our brethren now believe their Christian responsibility
amounts to little more than identifying and defending the correct
organization. "Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which
thou hast, that no man take thy crown." (Revelation 3:11)
How does God look at all this?
Jesus Christ has only one Body - One Church! God does not recognize
organizational boundaries. He looks on the heart. He regards all
who have his Spirit as His children. He loves them and continues to
have a relationship with those who maintain their relationship with
Him.
Remember that all who have and are
led by God’s Holy Spirit are the Children of God – not just those
within our immediate fellowship. As we endeavor to keep ourselves
doctrinally sound, let's be sure we are actually living our
religion and 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. "Open rebuke is better than secret love."
(Proverbs 27:5)
Let’s treat them as brothers and
sisters in Christ, and keep them in our prayers. 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)
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Sermon: |
"God is Light" |
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