What influence do worldly things have in my life? I’ve always imagined that all of God’s gifts, whether material or Spiritual, are to be used for the common good of the "Church body," and in the coming kingdom of God(I wrote the aforementioned to remind my future self). In which Christ’s followers all have a place whether they realize it or not. Here’s an example of this in a story Jesus told to His disciples, "The kingdom is also like what happened when a man went away and put his three servants in charge of all he owned. The man knew what each servant could do. So he handed five thousands coins to the first servant, two thousand to the second, and one thousand to the third. Then he left the country. As soon as the man had gone, the servant with five thousand coins used them to earn five thousand more. The servant who had two thousand coins did the same with his money and earned two thousand more. But the servant with one thousand coins dug a hole and hid his master’s money in the ground. Some time later the master of those servants returned. He called them in and asked what they had done with his money. Matt.25:14-19" Already we can see in the story that the master knew his servant’s capabilities, and we see what they did with the gifts and provisions that their master gave them according to their abilities. The story progresses and each servant reveals the outcome of their labor. The first and second are proclaimed good and faithful and are called to share in their
master’s happiness. But the third is declared lazy and good for nothing. He viewed his master as a harsh judge and therefore did nothing at all. The very least he could have done would have been to invest it in a bank for the interest. However this was not done and so everything he had was taken away and he was cast into the darkness. This may indeed sound harsh, but we must remember that the master new the capabilities of each servant. If the third servant had done anything with the gift according to his own ability, the master may have been happy. By this we can see that our new life is not based on our success, but on our faithfulness to our Master Jesus Christ. In my opinion it was a lack of faith and works on the side of the lazy and evil servant that condemned him. We know because of His word that our salvation and justification are based on faith, because of God’s grace, but we must remember that faith without works may be dead (read James 2:14-26). I must ask myself each day and every day because of my new life in Him, "What am I doing, through faith and according to my own abilities, with the gifts God’s given me?
Note: To be continued
8 comments:
Good blog. How about asking the question in a different light... like, "What am I not doing that is GOOD?"
Throws a whole new way of thinking in the ring, eh?
I suppose that is determined by the meaning of “good.” His word does say that all of our good works are as filthy rags to Him(OT). However, it also says that we are created in Christ Jesus through faith and by His grace to perform good works(NT). I guess that what I’m saying is that we don’t always see the end result of our laboring. So how can we determine if the end result is good? But if we live according to His teachings and faithfully do what He told us while not being only lazy and self-gratifying, I believe that He who began a good work in me will be faithful to complete it in me. So when I asked the question."What am I doing, through faith and according to my own abilities, with the gifts God’s given me?
I was expectant that He will handle the good part if I’m simply willing to use His gifts(Which is truly everything I have and am, as every good and perfect gift comes form Him inc. life) and be used by Him.
So are you saying God doesn't love me?
Dear filthy rag, I had no intention of saying God doesn't love you. You are important for many things, like changing my oil for example. I had no desire to hurt your feelings.
P.S. you are also good at getting filthy, or cleaned if put in the washer
Don't talk to me like that! I hate the washer! That's why my first name is Filthy!
Filthy Rag, your name is Filthy because that is the name your parents gave you. You hate the washer because you never forgave it for turning you all yella. And I will talk to you like this simply because, Filthy....I AM YOUR FATHER! come to the light side of the laundry.
I can't... I won't.... this can't be true! I'm not LUKE! You're not my faaaaatherrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!! Nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!!
hmmm, all of a sudden these comments have become a wee bit ridiculous...
Ahhh, God loves me even if I am a bit of a a filthy rag sometimes. I am so grateful that he deems success very differently to the way that the world does, including myself. I just need to be obedient. If I fail in the eyes of the world, it's still success to Him because I put my pride away and obeyed because I love Him, with no other benefit to myself... except of course a closer walk with the one I love.
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