03/16/2020
Do you witness to others, or are you a teacher, or preacher, of the gospel of Jesus Christ? If you do one or more of these things, or hold any of the other positions of faith... even to the maintenance staff, then you are given a special obligation regarding your diligence in faithfulness, and works, that is above the other believers. If however, you are a believer in the church who is doing well to search out your own salvation every day, you too have an obligation, and it is greater than those who are still lost. Yet all have the basic need to do works in service of our Father, His Son, and His Heavenly Kingdom.
“But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.”
1 Corinthians 9:27 ESV
Faith and works go hand in hand just as duties in the home go hand in hand with our love for family. When we love our wife and children we work to provide for them and prosper them, and when we love our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ we also work to provide the things they need, and to prosper them as well. Works may not indicate that we love, but loving always comes hand in hand with performing works. And, these love born works are always done humbly, with the glory in any of them belonging to the object of our love itself.
“For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!”
1 Corinthians 9:16 ESV
I have worked all my life to provide for my family, and not just for their daily needs such as meals, clothing, and a roof over their head, but for things of comfort as well. I want to give them more because I love them... just as my own earthly father did for me.
As a boy I remember getting ready for the first day of school each year. My parents would take me to the store and buy me new school supplies, shoes, clothes, and a coat to keep me warm as I traveled to and from school. My father never said much about doing this for me even though he had bought all these things, but I took great pride in wearing those clothes, carrying my new notebook each day, and when the weather turned cold, I couldn’t wait to go to the bus stop in my new coat. I claimed the glory for my father’s labor of love. The glory was rightfully his, but he gave it humbly to me. I didn’t earn it, nor did I really deserve it... it was a gift of his love.
God gives us those same gifts of love, but we call them by different names, we call them provision, salvation, mercy, and grace; among others. Then, out of His humility, He allows us to share in the glory of these. The gifts were really His doing, and the glory was rightfully His, and yet out of an abundance of love for us He yielded a portion of His glory to us.
We also love our earthly father, just as He loves us, and in turn we long to do things for him that will bring Him glory. We do his will, we live according to His rules, and we tell others of His goodness, and all the gifts He provides us. Do you see the parallel between this and our love for God; our Heavenly Father? We perform works because we love.
“But someone will say, "You have faith and I have works." Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.”
James 2:18 ESV
Yet, Over time, we may become weary, and the burden that comes as part and parcel with our love begins to weigh on us, yet our love doesn’t diminish, nor does the need for our works.
“And I say, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest; yes, I would wander far away; I would lodge in the wilderness; Selah”
Psalms 55:6-7 ESV
So how are we to behave when we are exhausted, and the joy leaves our works? How do we manage to continue in God’s will when our desire is becoming wearisome, and we find our reward is evaporating?
“For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but if not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship.”
1 Corinthians 9:17 ESV
Sometimes the burden of those things we do out of love begins to weigh us down, and exhaust us. So how do we not only keep going, but reclaim the joy we once found in them? How do we refresh our body at the end of each day?... we rest. If our daily load becomes too much we seek help, and it is the same in our works of faith. We rest, and restore ourselves...
“The apostles returned to Jesus and told him all that they had done and taught. And he said to them, "Come away by yourselves to a desolate place and rest a while." For many were coming and going, and they had no leisure even to eat.”
Mark 6:30-31 ESV
Then if things are still too much we must lighten our load, and to do this Jesus tells us to come to him...
“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.”
Matthew 11:28-29 ESV
When God calls us, and reveals to us His plan for us, and His will in our calling, He has no intention to use us up like some clay vessel, and then discard us; broken into shards. We are not the vessel but are the oil, the wine, and the living water within. His desire is to increase us, and make us more valuable to Him. So as we become weary, we look to Him, and call out in prayer, and we ask Jesus, and the Holy Spirit to restore us. We are not alone in our works any more than we are alone in our love... we are not merely a vessel, but a much loved child of God.
“do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7 ESV
So whether we are seasoned in faith, called to high office within the church, or struggle daily in our meager faith, the burden of those things we do, our works, can become overwhelming. When this happens we are instructed to rest, and through prayer, sharing our load and seeking rest in Jesus, and allowing the Holy Spirit to comfort us, we are restored, and or joy reinvigorated. Always remember His Sabbath... even as it applies to our works!
“So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God's rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.”
Hebrews 4:9-10 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your love, and the many blessings you have bestowed upon me. Thank you for every provision, and all the other works your love provides me each day. Thank you Heavenly Father for calling me to you, and allowing me to love you. Thank you for accepting my works as gifts, and for increasing me as I have grown in faith. I thank you for showing me your ever growing will for me, and giving me rest, and peace through your Sabbath as I have wearied in them. Help me Father when I grow tired, and my joy is subsiding; open my heart, and let your Holy Spirit comfort me, and your Son Jesus to lighten my burden. Return me to the work that is before me with joy in my heat, and a fresh desire to love and serve you more! Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God who I will love and serve forever. Praised be your name, and great is the love and attention you give me! Wonderful are you, and amazing are your gifts, and the glory you share with me through them. I worship you Lord, and lift you up in so dong; praising you always. You are my joy, my rest, my peace, and the desire behind all my works. I pray you are pleased with me Father, now, and forevermore.
“Return, O my soul, to your rest; for the Lord has dealt bountifully with you.”
Psalms 116:7 ESV
Rich Forbes