Work Performance...

"Jesus, go before us and do Your work Yourself; and You will get the glory." (Pastor Sam)

During Pastor Sam's pre-sermon prayer, he made this appeal to our Lord and Christ. It is an appeal very appropriate for today, a holiday on which persons in the countries of Canada and the United States of America take time to honor working people.

Christians are commissioned to carry out certain works of worship and service. Those of us at Bronx Bethany have been called to live out three particular mandates: we love God, we grow together, and we serve the world. If the Spirit of Christ is free to work in us, then His Light will shine through us as we engage these aspects of ministry.

Certainly, there are persons in the world who perform their work without the presence of God's Spirit. I have in my possession an incredibly well-thought-out, well-produced CD of an avowed non-Christian singing Christmas carols. In the liner notes the person stated that, though it was a Christmas CD, Christ was not the priority; performance was the priority.

And to be frank, there are avowed Christians who do not make Christ their priority; they too are "performing". As another of our pastors prayed over the weekend, our concern is that the Lord will find a percentage of our Bronx Bethany community who praise God with their lips, "but their hearts are far" from Him (Isaiah 29:13-14; Matthew 15:8-9). Let no man think that the Lord will reward such duplicity.

And so I echo the prayer of Pastor Sam. I hope you will do the same.

Jesus, go before Me.
Jesus, work Your works in me and through Me.
Jesus, may You alone receive all glory.
Amen.