Do Your Job!

As a new Christian, your job is to grow in knowledge, love and obedience to our Great God and do what pleases Him. We should strive to become mature Christians because that   is God's goal and desire for us. A definition of maturity is being fully developed or, in a perfected or completed state. We know that we will not become perfect, meaning without error, while we are physical beings. God's job is to correct, fashion, mold, and shape us, in order to bring us into His divine family.  Knowing what we should know about ourselves, this is a daunting yet rewarding challenge. Of course God is able to complete what He has begun in you. (Philippians 1:6) He has promised to get us into His kingdom if we do our part.

David, in Psalm 119:10-11, gave us a good example of striving to please, love and obey God.  "I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.  We must strive to become mature Christians.  This is not a game that you can take lightly. It requires total commitment, especially in this corrupt and sinful world. New Christians must strive to obey Christ with everything that they have. It will not be easy. It is the most difficult task that a human can undertake, but, by far, the most rewarding.  Remember striving takes all the effort, discipline and knowledge that you have. God is loving and kind hearted and will reward you for seeking to love, please and obey Him.  Being a mature Christian certainly doesn't come naturally.  You can be a Christian for many years and never become mature, just old.

What if, after you are baptized, you continue to deliberately sin and not care about doing what you know is wrong? Hebrews 10:26 says, "For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. You can loose your salvation if you continue in unrepentant sin. If you ever get into this state, pray earnestly for God to change your heart and mind before it is too late.  This passage does not mean regular sins, committed out of weakness, but sinning deliberately. Because, if you reject Christ, there is no more sacrifice for your sins.

So, here are some concepts to help you become a mature Christian to please our dear heavenly Father.  1 . Pray and beseech God to open your minds to truth, from His Holy Word.  In Luke 24: 45, Jesus opened the understanding of the scriptures for the disciples, and will be happy to open our minds as well.  Paul told Timothy, in 2 Timothy 2:7, "Think over what I say, for the Lord will grant you understanding in everything".   Solomon asked God for understanding so that he could be a good ruler over God's people.(1 Kings 3:9) God was pleased with this request and responded in 1Kings 3:12. Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart….

2. It is wonderful to learn new truth, but we must be careful not to separate knowledge from action.   Our job is to try to reflect  God's nature and righteous character. They can't be separated in the successful Christian life. Separating knowing from doing is sort of like reading a book or two on riding a bicycle, but never getting behind the handle bars. It's all right, but what's the point? We must ask God to give us scriptural understanding every day so that we can apply it every day.

3. Dig deep, into God's Word.

Luke 6:49 explains a most important factor in our walk with Christ." Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what  I say? As for everyone who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice, I will show you what they are like. They are like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who builds a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete." NIV 2010 As you know we live in chaotic and most unsettling times. If we want to survive we had better build upon the rock of God's Word or we will be easily fooled and pulled back into the world. In this passage Christ is telling us to dig deep, into God's Word.  Digging deep is a daunting but exceptionally rewarding task, whether you are a babe in Christ or a mature Christian. Babes in Christ have God's Holy Spirit as well as lots of zeal and enthusiasm. The Holy Spirit will help illuminate God's Word for you. It is sort of like when a light goes on and you have one of those ah ha moments. Think about a tree that is planted in the ground. It has to sink its roots deep into the earth in order to withstand all adversity. A cursory study of God's word will not enable you to stand up under chaos. We must sink our roots deep into God's word and be able to understand it and use it in our daily lives. Does this mean that as a new Christian, you should be able to understand everything?  No, no at all. Understanding God's Word is sort of like the opening of a rose. Your understanding begins like a rose bud, new, dewy and beautiful. As you study and apply God's Word to your life, your faith and understanding slowly begins to open like a rose, but over a long period of years, instead of days.

4. Strive for mastery

As you strive for mastery, remember there are no short cuts. 2 Timothy 2:5 says, "And if a man also strives for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strives lawfully." Knowing and doing God's Word requires following Godly principles. Here are a few to get you started. You must love the Lord your God with all your heart in order to continue to strive for mastery without getting tired of well doing. You must also have pleasing Jesus as your reason for your actions. You must try to implement the Beatitudes in your life.(Mathew 5:3-12) Learning and Following God's 10 Commandments as best you can and studying God's Word is a must if you want to stay close to your heavenly Father. He will give you the strength that you need.

5.  Work out your own salvation

Philippians 2:12 tells us to "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."" Fear and trembling" show the seriousness of our responsibility. Our job is to root out any activity, thing or person that could keep us from salvation. Does this mean that we can take any credit for fulfilling our responsibilities? No, we know that God is merciful and full of grace which is why He gives us this wonderful opportunity to be part of His family. God wants above everything for us to be in His kingdom.  Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered the heart of man, the things that God has prepared for them that love Him. 1st Corinthians 2:9. Let's Do Our Job!

Comments are closed.