Demarcus dragged himself with his arms across the bloody linoleum floor to attempt to comfort his screaming infant son. A few seconds earlier he was prevented from running to him because he couldn't feel his legs. The prior intruder more than likely was the cause of the loss, but Demarcus hoped his body was temporarily paralyzed from the gun blast. Unfortunately he was sadly mistaken. While he was able to protect his first born from getting injured, and to console him after the derelict kicked the door or his apartment open and shot his pistol four times before fleeing, he wasn't able to restore the strength his legs once possessed.
At the hospital waiting room the aunt who raised him nearly fainted as the doctor reported the news. His two younger cousins clinched their fists in anger and raised their voices; shouting curses about Demarcus' sons' mother; who they determined ordered a hit on him. Meanwhile, Demarcus laid silent and peaceful. After the commotion receded, his sister asked him "what you gonna do now?"
Demarcus, a 5 month Christian convert, lifted his heavy eyelids and said, "I still have my life, and Christ has already done more than enough."
His cousins smirked as his sister and aunt exhaled with disgust...
My people, can you remember when you first gained the significant knowledge of Jesus' act of rescue? I would go on a limb to say 95% of us became active Christians after some issue that we perceived we were unable of handling; but what I'm speaking of is the time when you truly recognized what Jesus did for you. For me, the thought of it was humbling to say the least. And from that moment my attitude regarding serving Him evolved.
I'm certain that yours has also, because with understanding that the suffering, execution, and the resurrection of Christ is what has established you to have an amazing eternal life, you should be propelled to serve Him for what He has already done...as opposed to what you want Him to do.
For perspective, picture a waiter, a bartender, or a maid. All of these people serve for an expected reward. Along with that, they earn this reward from the work that they do and in the manner they perform the work. If service was great, not only do they get a salary...but they may also get a tip. If it's not so great, nothing extra will come with that. However, for those of us who proclaim to serve Jesus, He provided the reward before we even started the work!
So then knowing this, doesn't it seem somewhat foolish to serve God for a car...or a house...or a promotion...or a mate; as opposed to simply serving Him for His existence? Being that He has given an eternal gift, why limit Him to the frivolous desires of our selfishness? Particularly when we know that serving Him with sincerity will result in all of our needs met and many of our desires brought to fruition (Matthew 6:31-33), what does it say about the person who is serving God to gain [add object here]? Are they even serving God at all?
So many Believers are stunted in growth and run the risk of a fate similar to the Moses-led Israelites (Hebrews 3:6-11). Possibly, this is because instead forming a proper, genuine, life-long relationship with Christ, they rely on Him only in [seemingly] crucial situations or for personal, social, vocational, or financial advancement. If the goal isn't achieved, or even if it is and once the thrill is over, dedication to the Lord halts. This in fact is dangerously similar to how people follow horoscopes, have fertility statues in their homes, or embrace other objects associated with luck or direction. In layman's terms, the individual has downgraded the Saviour of the planet to the lifeless power of a manufactured idol.
The ol' heads used to say "if You don't do nothing else for me, You already done enough!"
Peace
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