God is Jealous?

"We work (labor) for Jesus, that we may be 'accepted' of Him". The entirety of the verse we have been looking at for three weeks now in 2 Corinthians 5:9 is:

"Wherefore we labor (the "fact"), that, (the "nature" of the labor) whether present or absent (the "arena" of the labor), we may be accepted of Him (the "motive" or "reason" for the labor)".

This is the entire goal of a follower of Jesus - to please Him. To be accepted of Him. It is probably the dominant characteristic of all serious Christians I have known - this constant, over-riding, primary, consuming desire to please one's Savior and Lord.

It is the dominant goal of any servant to be approved of his master. A servant's highest achievement is making happy and pleased his master. His constant effort is to gain his master's approval - to see his nod, his smile, any recognition of acceptance.

The Bible gives a name to such a servile motive: "single". In the Greek it means, "steadily directed". Jesus used the term in Matthew 6:22 wheh He taught that "our eye be 'single'", or "steadily directed". Paul used the same term with the instruction to servants in Ephesians 6:5 when he directed "servants to be obedient" to their employers "with singleness of heart".

It is the idea of "exclusivity", and carries the same idea of "jealousy" God required from Old Testament followers (SEE Exodus 20:5 and 34:14). And why not? Even us earthly spouses require such "exclusivity" of our husbands and wives...and rightly so.

The biblical fact is plainly established by Jesus in Matthew 6:24 and in Luke 16:13 when He stated that: "no person can serve two masters". A divided love or loyalty is no love at all, for some things by nature are not divisible. A Christian cannot love Jesus "a little bit", or even mostly!, and he cannot be loyal to Christ "partly".

What means a lot to me personally is that Jesus is worthy of such supreme love and loyalty. Any way we may view Him, He is lovely, and indescribable, and unequaled, and worthy!

Church Work is Heavenly

For two weeks we have been looking at 2 Corinthians 5:9, and particularly the four outstanding points it makes:

"Wherefore we labor (the fact), that, (the "nature" of the labor), whether present or absent, (the "arena" of our labor), we may be accepted (the "motive" of our labor), of Him".

It is repeated that in this brief verse, the Apostle Paul defines his entire ministry and life work. It equally sets down the proper goals of us Christians who work in Christ's church today.

So, the third aspect of a Christian's life work is "the arena" of the labor, as described by the writer as being either "present or absent". Here is a poignant thought. The Holy Spirit impressed Paul to tell us that a Christian's work is only begun when his physical life ends - that there will be work for us to accomplish when we graduate, transfer, transition into the realm of Christ's presence.

Jesus taught - as to responsibilities for His followes in His heavenly kingdom - in Matthew 25, Luke 19, Matthew 20:23, and The Revelation 1:6, that there would certainly be "labors" in the heavenly realm. Paul was certainly persuaded that he would have responsibilities in the world to come as well as in this life, and that he would be accountable to God in the presence of the Lord as much as during his earthly duties.

This truth adds dimension to how we work for the Lord now. It makes a definite connection to our Christian service in the heavenly kingdom to come as much as in Christ's church on earth today. It strongly reminds us that the visible world and the unseen one are both the same in nature, in purpose, and in accountablility.

And this leads us right into the thoughts of next week's topic, which is "the "motive" or "reason" for Christian service.

Smart People Follow the Instructions

We have been looking at 2 Corinthians 5:9: "Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him".

The word "that", reveals THE NATURE of our labors for the Lord. It is such an ordinary, common word, but in analysis tells us so much!

We can be busy and not get anything, or at least, not much, of value accomplished. The idiom that comes to mind is "spinning our wheels", and those of us who live in snow country see it happen every winter. When spinning ones wheels, there is much racket, but no movement or progress.

Many people equate being in a hurry as getting something done - that rushing here and there is somehow speeding up a process. The adage that "the hurrier I go, the behinder I get" impresses our minds, and all of us, at one time or the other, have verified the "haste makes waste" proverb.

The valid point here is that we church workers do well to consider in "what" we invest our lives? Paul did. We do this best by spending time alone with God on our knees and faces to discover what His "agenda" is for us.

It is a matter of constantly going back to "the plan"; the blueprint; the instruction sheet; the schematic; or the manual. I frequently watch my Deloris crochet (how can I help but...?) - with the instruction book or sheet right there in front of her...constantly checking it for the step-by-step instructions. Smart people follow the instructions.

We want our Christian lives to count. We want our building to last. We want our labors to be exactly like the pattern. We want to reap a good harvest. We want to run a worthy race. We want to win the crown. We want to win our battles. We want to ace our tests.

So it is important for us to keep checking with our Lord to make sure that our labors are the kind He has in mind for us. I term this "living in tandem" with God's plans. It is important to work, to labor, in Christ's church, but more important to be engaged in the program that the Holy Spirit has in mind for us.

Where are the "Jacks"?

Words have power. Sometimes the smallest of words have the greatest power. The word "if" is an excellent example. "Or" is another. Look with me at some intensely meaningful words found in 1 Corinthians 5:9, and I quote:

"Wherefore we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of Him". KJV

The word "labor" speaks of the fact. The word "that" identifies the nature of the labor. The two words "present or absent" reveals the arena of the labor, while the word "accepted" provides the reason or motive for the labor. The last three modify (or explain) the first. Isn't this a thrill...and all in one verse!

This linguistic exercise just fills my cup to overflowing. The Holy Spirit, through the writer, Paul, actually describes the entire life ministry of the Apostle Paul in a single, brief verse.

To a similar degree (for each Christian equally has a Divinely proscribed job description), this verse tells you and me about our work in the body of Christ.

WE LABOR. We need to see that every Christian has a job to do...a need to fill...a place on the team!

Paul included all of us in the "we". There are no second or third stringers in Christ's church. There are no "subs" on His team. We must see that there is a specific, singular, one-and-only slot in the make up of Christ's church for each of us. There may be only so many positions in the visible church, but there are as many places of service as there are believers in the body of Christ.

Jack (his real name, though he is in heaven now) bought and maintained and drove the "biggest, old vans" he could buy, and filled them with children each Sunday at the Vancouver, Washington Pilgrim Holiness Sunday school. Where are the "Jacks" today?

Mythella at 85 years of age still faithfully and weekly cleans the church and does the church bulletin at the First Church of God in Orofino, Idaho. Where are the "Jacks" today?

Cara Lee Mueller could be counted on to play the organ at the Bartlesville Oklahoma First Wesleyan Church each Lord's Day for 49 years, including the Sunday before being transfered to heaven's anthem chambers the following Tuesday.

The "Jacks", "Mythellas" and "Cara Lees" are much fewer, and harder to find these days. Being counted on is not high on the list of qualifications in the modern church. Being counted on is subservient to "if it is convenient and fits into our plans" for church service in 2008. I know that we live in a different day, but also know something precious and necessary has been lost here.

The church needs workers who they can count on...but the greater need is ours. We individual Christians need the soul satisfaction that only comes from "being counted on".

Christians have all the fun...

...because they do not have to look over their shoulders all the time...wondering...if?It is like keeping the speed limit...or setting the cruise control at the legal limit. You can drive with ease without having to constantly keep an eye scanning the highways for patrolmen. You do not have to look over your shoulder. There is a freedom in always doing the right thing as you best understand it.

Christians are the ones who are having all the fun!! They never experience "mornings after" - those mind-destroying, conscience-plaguing, emotion-damaging, fearful bouts of regrets.

It is like always telling the truth - even if it is embarrassing - even if it costs you - even if it diminishes you in any way. You never have to stop and consider if what you presently are saying matches a previous statement, IF you make it a practice to always tell the truth. You do not have to look over your shoulder.

It is like having "no skeletons in your closet"...that your private life and your public life are the same. There are no worries that a relative or old friend will "spill the beans" on you. You do not have to look over your shoulder.

It is like not cheating at anything. Cheating and lying are twins, and the former is no better than the latter just because it is socially acceptable in many forms in some circles. A Christian has the constant peace that he has been fair and impartial as best as he knows. He never spends time looking over his shoulder.

It is like honestly trying to do ones best day in and day out...and refusing to allow Satan's accusations cause us to measure our best after the fact. We always "can do better" in review, but we can equally do our best at the time. Christians need not look over our shoulders even in review, knowing that if we knew to do better, we would and will!

This is one more plus for following Christ!

Once in a Blue Moon, a Great Truth Arises from the Comic Pages

Today, it is in my mind and heart to remind all married partners who read these lines of the vows they took on their wedding day... and I quote those promises from the traditional ceremony:

"Wilt thou have this woman to be thy wedded wife, to live together after God's ordinance in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love her, comfort her, honor and keep her, in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto her as long as ye both shall live?

"Wilt though have this man to be thy wedded husband, to live together after God's ordinance, in the holy estate of matrimony? Wilt thou love, honor and keep him in sickness and in health, and forsaking all others, keep thee only unto him as long as ye both shall live?

"I take thee to be my wedded wife (husband); and I do promise and covenant before God and these witnesses to be thy loving and faithful husband (wife) in plenty and in want, in joy and in sorrow, in sickness and in health, as long we both shall live."

"May I Help You?"

We hear this question regularly - generally from a salesperson. It is such a common query that we do not consider its motive or pause to analyze its content.

We expect a salesperson to ask. They are expected to ask. That is their job - to help customers to select and purchase items. This is what they are paid to do.

Ah! So, this reveals the reason why they smile - why they are so helpful - why they are especially courteous and solicitous - why their entire being and attitude exudes such pleasant and personal attention to other persons.

It is safe to assume that if the contact between the same two persons were anything other than a salesperson/customer one, the entire exchange - if there were one at all - would be completely different.

Wouldn't it be nice - even Christian - if helpfulness and pleasantness were a lifestyle? If we were actually planning to help others throughout our day? If, in the course of doing what we wanted and had to do, we were actually searching for ways we could be of assistance to those around us?

Such an idea carried out would have to indicate a servanthood mentality. Such persons would need to view helping and serving others as their role - their purpose for existence. It is not difficult to serve if we see this as our role, and our Jesus, Himself, clearly stated that His purpose was to serve and to give.

BUT...it is tough if deep down inside we are really wanting others to do the same for us, and resenting it if it does not occur.

Jesus said it like this in Matthew 5:3: "Blessed (happy) are the poor in spirit (those who claim and expect nothing): for theirs is the kingdom of heaven".