04/24/2023
In what way do we find ourselves rejoicing? Are we taking personal satisfaction in the number of souls WE bring to God? Are we celebrating God's victories as if they were our own? Or, do we find ourselves claiming victory for the power He has given us? Would it surprise you to learn that Jesus said don't do these things?
“Nevertheless, do not rejoice in this, that the spirits are subject to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven."”
Luke 10:20 ESV
There is a difference between rejoicing or celebrating, and the simpler feelings of joy and pleasure. Our celebration and rejoicing should be as a result of a soul's successful salvation. It is also at the entry into heaven of fellow converts because that should be our goal in faith... we are to be disciples, and disciple others. The moment when we are judged worthy to live in God's presence is a reason for rejoicing, and is a time for us to join the Father in celebrating His victory, not ours! We are redeemed, and we lead other to Jesus to be redeemed, but we ourselves never redeem, nor do we write in the book of life.
“Yes, I ask you also, true companion, help these women, who have labored side by side with me in the gospel together with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”
Philippians 4:3-4 ESV
So who should be joyous in God’s victory for those who have been newly brought to Him through Jesus? Who should sing of God’s victory when new souls first believe in the Lord? Well first among the celebrants should be those who have been saved, then those who have led them to Christ by the grace of God, and thirdly, the very angels of God in heaven...
“Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents."”
Luke 15:10 ESV
Remember though, there is great danger in personally rejoicing over God's victories. In such celebration we are prone to claim part and parcel in our Father’s victory when in fact that is His alone. I have heard pastors boast from the pulpit regarding the number of souls THEY have saved; the number who came to the altar in the last several days... but that is not their victory.
“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.”
John 6:44 ESV
Teaching and discipling believers is our job, but saving them is God’s alone. Oswald Chambers spoke directly to this when he wrote these words:
"We have the commercial view - so many souls saved and sanctified, thank God, now it is all right. Our work begins where God's grace has laid the foundation; we are not to save souls but to disciple them. Salvation and sanctification are the work of God's sovereign grace; our work as His disciples is to disciple lives until they are wholly yielded to God." - Oswald Chambers
We should be glad for those who have been transferred into our discipleship through God's grace, but then the work begins. We show them our lives and instruct them in God's Holy Word and the gospel of Jesus, until on their day of successful judgement we can celebrate God’s victory in them, and in this way the rejoicing occurs in earnest, and the glory given as it should be.
This begs the question... how do I properly instruct those that God has entrusted to my care? Well we don't do it by force, we don't dictate faith to them... no, we lead them gently and demonstrate the love of God to those who look to us. Chambers made another interesting statement regarding the way that Jesus taught His own disciples:
"Jesus never dictates to us in that way. Whenever Our Lord talked about discipleship, He always prefaced it with an "IF," never with an emphatic assertion - "You Must." Discipleship carries an option with it." - Oswald Chambers
I am reminded of a couple of observations. First, our faith is by choice and unlike a business contract that once signed is binding... our contract with God is always open ended and He has no desire to chain you to himself outside your will. His pleasure is in your absolute desire to love and serve Him. The second is more of an example... my mother would always say "you catch more bees with honey." She was teaching me how to influence people, and it wasn't by force, it was by giving them something that would make them want to join with me. Our spiritual honey consists of our faith and the love of God, and leading souls to Jesus is not like a trap at all, but is accomplished by showing the disciples, who God brings to us, the true nature of God in our lives, and the reward of eternity with Him to be something that all believers can expect.
So... we are not to rejoice in those things that are truly God's victories as if they were our own; we are simply to take on the work of discipling new Christians; we are meant to teach with love and through our example, and we should realize that this wonderful walk of faith is by our individual choice only. If we do all of these things and find ourselves, and those we have discipled, to be acceptable on judgement day, THEN we can rejoice and celebrate… not in our victory, but in God’s.
Prayer:
Father, I thank you for those souls you have allowed me to disciple. I pray now that you give me the wisdom needed to do this job well, and that on the final day you will find them acceptable to you; perfected by the blood of Jesus. Holy Father help me as I walk towards righteousness and sanctification; never let my faith wander, or my attention turn from those things you would have me do. I realize that when my faith falters it impacts those around me who look to me in their search for your reflection. Lord, let my words and life be like honey to the senses of those who seek you. Let your presence draw others to you through me as your will is done. Most of all Father, let all glory come to you for these things, because my call is forever to your will and service, and my rejoicing is solely in my name, and the names of others being added to your book of life... and this is your victory and to your glory alone.
Rich Forbes