Time and time again, I hear people get surprised, bothered, even irritated at the thought that the things of God should require work. Almost everyone thinks that anything even remotely connected with God or the Bible should come very easily and without any effort on their part. Why on earth would anyone think otherwise?
In this day and time, I am not entirely surprised at this sentiment since the ways of this world (controlled by the devil) have people so wrapped up in time consuming activity that God ought to be thankful if they even give Him one hour on a Sunday morning. What arrogant thinking! If your life is like this, may I recommend that you take one step back and take a hard look at where all that activity is leading. If the only answer you can come up with is, the grave, then maybe the rest of this article may be of some use to you.
You see, there is some truth to the statement that we do not need to do any work when it comes to Christianity since Jesus Christ has done it for us. However, that only relates to being saved – all you need do is confess Jesus Christ as Lord and believe that God raised him from the dead and you are saved. Very simple. Even though this does not cost you anything it isn’t exactly free. It cost God the life of His son. It isn’t free – it’s just that someone else has paid on your behalf. Feel free to say thank you.
Now once you’re saved we come to the part that most people do not like to hear – what do I do now? Well the Word of God is loaded with answers to that question. The Christian walk is a walk of discipline (oh I hate that word); one in which we systematically work to better and better walk according to the scriptures. Let me ask you an embarrassing question – can you walk according to the scriptures if you do not know what they say? That’s one of those rhetorical questions; in other words, don’t answer it …
The Christian walk requires learning about controlling your mind, eliminating fear from your life, studying God’s Word, walking by the spirit – to just name a few areas. Sounds like it might take a little work and effort. And why the heck not? Can you think about other things you do in your life that require work and effort? Let me help you. Here’s a brief list: playing the guitar, learning to ski, weight lifting, aerobics, improving your golf game, learning a new software package, learning to paint, wood working, skating, improving your stick handling, learning to cook, etc. And yet hardly a single person even thinks twice about the fact that all these things take time and work. But when it comes to the things of God – oh no! please don’t ask me to lift a fingernail. I’m just too busy.
Maybe the concern that people have is the benefit of doing the work. Are any of the following of interest to you: peace, prosperity, health, eternal life, a satisfying marriage, obedient children, joy, freedom from fear, hope? (there’s many more …) Have you managed to secure these by all your busy work? Well these are not my promises but the promises made by the scriptures themselves, for It Is Written that the Word of God has promises and answers to all things that pertain to life. God honors those who honor Him.
So the next time you’re pumping iron, working on washboard abdominals, curing your slice, fretting about your chords or weeding your garden – take a look at that dust covered Bible on your shelf. Given that a workout lately?