There is a real danger that we will neglect the cross because it is so familiar to us. At least once a week — when we observe the Lord’s Supper — we are invited to remember that our salvation would have been impossible without Christ’s death.
Deacons are a vital part of what has been provided to make the church strong and effective in its work. We cannot neglect this office or diminish its importance without hurting ourselves in regard to the work of the gospel.
Whether great or small (as human beings judge things), our contribution to the Lord’s work is valuable to the Lord Himself, and we owe it to our Master to give Him the very best effort of which we are personally capable, no matter what the work is.
The Bible is full of examples of men and women who placed their faith in God, did whatever they were capable of doing, and then found out — sometimes to their great amazement — that God can bring great results out of unpromising situations.
The idea is not that we should be self-righteous or look down our noses at those whom we consider morally inferior to us. But while maintaining a proper humility, we should still strive to keep clear of the sins for which the world is noted.
Words like “serious” and “diligent” do not describe the approach most people take to religion. In an age of convenience and ease, there is a strong tendency for us to make our relationship to God simply one of the nice activities in our “lifestyle.”
The day is coming when we will stand before the Lord who died for us and account to Him for the stewardship we have exercised in His work. Until that day arrives, we need to be diligently working, so we won’t have to be ashamed of our workmanship.
This week, may our aim be to strengthen our hope and be more appreciative of it. Living in a difficult world, it makes a big difference to be a faithful Christian and be able to look forward to being forever with a Lord whom we love.
Both the Lord and His apostles predicted that some would depart from the faith and that His people must be steadfast. The question is not whether we will have to deal with religious error, but whether we will deal with it in a way that honors Christ.
It should be apparent by the way we conduct our lives every day that we appreciate God’s goodness. Paul wrote, “And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.”
