S.L.A.V.E. of Christ

“We are fortunate, all this time we have been given, we must use it well.” (Beyond the Gates)

‘For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. ‘Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. ‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart. (Jer 29:11-13; NKJV)

A lost and dying world now looks cynically at a church whose own actions mirror those of the world it is trying to reach. Rather than a beacon of hope to the nations we have become an object of scorn to the lost.

In Paul’s letter to Ephesus he encourages those who have been called into ministry as apostles, prophets, evangelists, and teachers, “to prepare God’s people for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up.” (Ephesians 4:11-12)

The book of Ephesians goes on to say why this work is done, so that we may “no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, and deceitful scheming.” (Ephesians 4:14) As we look into the corridors of our church today do we see strong, mature, sacrificing, knowledgeable Christians growing up into the fullness of Christ? (Ephesians 4:13) The time has come to quit looking the other way and ask why?

If we are so different than the rest of the world, why are more than 50% of our marriages falling apart? If Jesus is so great, why are we in love with the world? If the Holy Spirit binds us together, why are we so fractured and lonely sitting in our pews? If Jesus led a life of sacrifice and asked us to do the same, why do we live lives of greed and selfish ambition?

We have forgotten our duty! In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians he charges them with neglecting their duty, this generation is guilty of the same. As our time here draws short let us recover that first love we once knew, the love that propelled us forward in the beginning when our race had first begun, when we could not get enough of the Bible, and prayer was refreshing and new. We can no longer sit idly by, we have work to do, let us begin to do it in earnest!

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.

2 Peter 3:9-12 (NIV)

Continue to Chapter 1: What is our Reasonable Duty?