The Christian Pursuit

"I work so I can enjoy my free time."  

Many people view life this way.  We give our time to our employer in exchange for money.  We use the money to fund whatever it is that makes us happy.  Some make the goal of retirement their focus.  Some enjoy hobbies, sporting, or camping.  On the surface, this seems to be a pretty decent way of going through life.  Christianity, though, sheds a different light on this thought process.

“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me" (Galatians 2:20).

When we become a Christian, we stop living with the purpose of pleasing ourselves. While it certainly is not wrong to enjoy the fruit of our labor, this can no longer be the driving force behind our efforts.  

Psalm 1 describes one who has forsaken the worldly way of living and has found a new focus upon God's word.  It begins with the term "blessed," meaning "approved of God."  The psalm goes on to explain that as this man who is approved of God finds delight in God's law, meditating on it day and night, he becomes "like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season.  Its leaf also does not wither, and whatsoever he does shall prosper."  In Psalm 1, God lays out the way to gain His favor and to receive His blessings.  

As Christians, let us make being approved of God the driving force in our lives!  While enjoying the things of this earth is definitely a blessing, our goal must be to seek first God's kingdom and His righteousness, Matthew 6:33.  The promise that "all these things will be added to you" is a promise that if we focus on pleasing God first, the other things will fall into place.  Let us make Christianity our pursuit, not "enjoying our free time."

J

I cannot come down!

  Nehemiah 6:1-3
           1        Now when it was reported to Sanballat, Tobiah, to Geshem the Arab and to the rest of our enemies that I had rebuilt the wall, and that no breach remained in it, although at that time I had not set up the doors in the gates,
           2       then Sanballat and Geshem sent a message to me, saying, “Come, let us meet together at Chephirim in the plain of Ono.” But they were planning to harm me.
           3       So I sent messengers to them, saying, “I am doing a great work and I cannot come down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and come down to you?”

We often sing, "I want to be a worker for the Lord," but so many times we end up doing something other than God's work.  Continually walking as a Christian ought is a massive battle that we all fight every day, and obstacles to that walk are frequently placed by the devil.  Nehemiah's example in chapter 6 is an excellent reminder that we don't have to allow those obstacles to derail our progress.

First, notice that Nehemiah keeps the layout of the conflict clear:  These are people who are trying to stop him from doing what God wants!  We must remember that no matter what, anyone or anything that seeks to interrupt the work we do for God is not to be trusted.  "They were planning to harm me." No one who wants to stop you from serving God has honorable intentions.

Second, have you ever noticed that when we stay busy doing what we are supposed to do, it is difficult to get into trouble?  When his enemies attempted to interrupt his work, Nehemiah simply said, "I am doing a great work and cannot come down."  If we don't give the enemy the time of day, he can't really stop us from doing God's work.

Third, notice that Nehemiah pulls no punches when it comes to prioritizing God's work over heeding those who seek to interrupt it.  While we live in a society that demands we offend no one, Nehemiah has no qualms when telling someone that God's work is more important than they are.  "Why should the work stop while I leave it and come to you?" Never be afraid to tell someone that God's work is the most important thing in your life.

As we seek to be workers in God's kingdom, let us remain true to our task.  Do not trust those who want to pull you away from God's work.  Do not heed those who seek to distract you from God's work.  Do not fear openly prioritizing God over others.  Let us build the wall!
J

Turned Upside Down

Christians live in a world that does not see the way God sees.  That provides some friction, but we can usually handle it.  The hard times are when life circumstances completely upend everything, and you seem to be looking at the world upside-down.  Dismay and desperation often set in, and many Christians have made poor decisions because they allow their circumstances to distort their reasoning.  

Let us remember that even though circumstances in this life vary, our dedication to God should not.  Relationships change, jobs change, housing changes, and health changes.  Why, though, would we ever allow the temporary things to change what is eternal?  Never should we forget that this life is only a means to arrive at eternity.  We should always remain focused on the day when God's faithful will have their troubles end, described in Revelation 21:3-4.

If you have been blindsided by some hard things, hold fast to God.  If you don't know God, seek Him out!  Seeing the way God sees allows the troubles of this world to have a little less weight.

J

Church of Christ at Vermilion

5116 Driftwood Drive

Vermilion, Ohio 44089

440-967-6757