As most of you are well aware, we live in a “welfare society.” many people in the U.S. today believe it is their right to sit at home and be supported by others. They don’t believe they ought to have to work for anything, it should just be handed to them. Here, in Wagoner county, it is no different. While we do have a lot of good, hard working people here, we do have our share of the “you owe me” crowd. While we all want to help those who are “unable” to work, this attitude of “I shouldn’t have to work” is not right with God. The apostle Paul said, “For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order, if anyone will not work, neither let him eat.”
(2 Thessalonians 3:10).
It is amazing how many people totally disagree with a “welfare state” but want to be a part of a “welfare church.” They really believe that every single person who is healthy and able should be earning their living physically but don’t see any need in being actively involved in the work of the Lord’s church.
Now, I am not talking about “earning one’s salvation.” Our salvation is a gift from God and there is nothing one can do to “earn” their salvation. But, one must be involved in the work of the church in order to be pleasing to God. God expects His people to be actively involved in all aspects of the work of the Lord’s church. Listen to what Paul told his brethren in Ephesus in Ephesians 2:10 where he said, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Every Christian is to be actively involved in the work of the church. Jesus said that being involved in good works is one of the identifying factors for His people. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16). In fact, if we truly believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God we will want to serve Him to the best of our ability. James makes it very clear that one’s works is the proof of his faith in James 2:17 where he says, “Even so faith, if it has no works is dead, being by itself.” In other words, if we have no works backing up our faith, then our faith isn’t true faith and is worthless to us. Timothy was told he was to instruct Christians to be active workers in the church by the apostle Paul. Paul told him, “Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share” (1 Timothy 6:18) did you notice, not just do good works, but be “rich” in good works.
The Lord’s church is not a “welfare church.” We do not work to earn salvation, but we do work to show the world who we are. We work to honor our God and our Savior. We work to show our God how much our salvation means to us. We work to share that salvation with others. And, we work to show our God how much we love Him. Are you looking for a “welfare church” or a “working church”?
Until next week, I love you all,
Dan
(2 Thessalonians 3:10).
It is amazing how many people totally disagree with a “welfare state” but want to be a part of a “welfare church.” They really believe that every single person who is healthy and able should be earning their living physically but don’t see any need in being actively involved in the work of the Lord’s church.
Now, I am not talking about “earning one’s salvation.” Our salvation is a gift from God and there is nothing one can do to “earn” their salvation. But, one must be involved in the work of the church in order to be pleasing to God. God expects His people to be actively involved in all aspects of the work of the Lord’s church. Listen to what Paul told his brethren in Ephesus in Ephesians 2:10 where he said, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
Every Christian is to be actively involved in the work of the church. Jesus said that being involved in good works is one of the identifying factors for His people. “Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16). In fact, if we truly believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God we will want to serve Him to the best of our ability. James makes it very clear that one’s works is the proof of his faith in James 2:17 where he says, “Even so faith, if it has no works is dead, being by itself.” In other words, if we have no works backing up our faith, then our faith isn’t true faith and is worthless to us. Timothy was told he was to instruct Christians to be active workers in the church by the apostle Paul. Paul told him, “Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share” (1 Timothy 6:18) did you notice, not just do good works, but be “rich” in good works.
The Lord’s church is not a “welfare church.” We do not work to earn salvation, but we do work to show the world who we are. We work to honor our God and our Savior. We work to show our God how much our salvation means to us. We work to share that salvation with others. And, we work to show our God how much we love Him. Are you looking for a “welfare church” or a “working church”?
Until next week, I love you all,
Dan
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