04/24/2025
In what do we rejoice? Are we taking personal satisfaction in the number of souls we bring to God? Are we celebrating God's victories or the power He has given us? Would it surprise you 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, celebrating, and the deeper feelings of joy and pleasure. Our celebration and rejoicing should be as a result of our soul's successful salvation. It is also at the entry into heaven of fellow converts because that is our goal in faith... the moment when we are judged worthy to live in God's presence is reason for celebration!
“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 rejoices for those newly brought to faith? Who celebrates the new souls saved by the Lord? Well first in the celebration is the celebrant who finds themselves saved by the grace of God, and then secondly, the very angels in heaven...
“Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents."”
Luke 15:10 ESV
There is great danger in our rejoicing over God's victories. In such celebration we are prone to claim part and parcel in His victory when in fact that belongs to Him alone. I have heard pastors boast from the pulpit regarding the number of souls they had saved; the number who came to the altar in the last so many days... friends, that is not their victory. Teaching and discipling them is their job, and ours. Pastor Oswald Chambers spoke directly to this when he wrote:
"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 now the work begins. We show them our lives and instruct them in God's Holy Word until on their day of successful judgement the rejoicing occurs in earnest.
So 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... no, we lead gently and demonstrate the love of God to those who look to us. Chambers made an 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. The first is that our faith is by choice and unlike a military 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 tell me that "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 of myself that would make them want to join with me. Our honey of faith is love, and its attraction is not a trap at all, but rather the reward of God himself.
So... we do not rejoice in those things that are truly God's victories; ours is to take on the work of discipling new Christians; we teach with love and through example, and we realize that this wonderful walk of faith is by choice only. If we do all of these things and find ourselves, and those we have discipled, judged acceptable on judgement day, THEN we can rejoice and celebrate our Father’s victory.
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 day of judgement you will find them acceptable to you; perfected by the blood of Jesus. Holy Father help me as I walk towards righteousness and sanctification, and never let my faith wander, nor 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 as they 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 watching me as your will is done in my life. Most of all Father, let all the glory come to you for the things that you do, because my calling is to forever obey your will and serve you, and my rejoicing is solely in my name having been added to your book of life... all else, regardless of how I am used, is your victory. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God whose Holy Word and the gospel of Jesus Christ are the texts of my discipleship. Holy are you who draws souls to you through your Son Jesus and then allows me to lead them as my joint disciples of His into a more complete understanding and perfection of righteousness. Merciful and full of grace are you Lord, and we praise you, honor you, and give you all the glory for our salvation, redemption and forgiveness. This day is yours, and we look forward to the day when ours will come… when at last we will see our names etched into your wonderful book of life. On that day we will receive the joy, peace, happiness, and all of the many trappings and rewards that you long to lavish upon those who love you as they should... as true disciples who love you with all their hearts, minds, souls, and strength. O, I pine for that day, and the fulfillment of your promise of walking with you in eternity… forever in your presence. But for now, I will follow Jesus as His disciple and pray to you without ceasing. Now I will pray in the name of Jesus and lean on you for help, provision, and your Holy Spirit for understanding. Hear me now Abba as I say before all of heaven and earth… “Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, my God is one and is great above all things!” and then claim an Amen to your Word, and the teachings of Jesus Christ.
Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Amen!
Supporting Scripture:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:19-20 ESV
“ So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.”
1 Corinthians 10:31-33 ESV
“This is the day that the Lord has made;
let us rejoice and be glad in it.”
Psalm 118:24 ESV
Rich Forbes