What If.........?

-What if everyone knew what you know about the Bible and studied it as much or as little as you do? Would they know what one must do to become a Christian and then remain faithful as a child of God? Would they (like you) be maturing and growing spiritually, or would they be on a decline?

-What if everyone sang during worship as you do?

 

-What if everyone sought to be involved in the Lord’s work (or escape from being involved) just as you regularly do?

 

-What if everyone possessed the same attitude about others as you do?

 

What if everyone tried to lift and encourage others, contacted others, spoke positive words to fellow laborers just as you do?

 

What if everybody in the church was just like me, what kind of a church would it be? Have we ever given any serious thought to what it means to be members of the Lord’s church? Have we ever given any serious contemplation to God’s description of us as living stones?

 

The apostle Peter said we are to desire the pure milk of the Word as newborn babes that we may grow, if indeed we have tasted that the Lord is gracious. Then he says, “Coming to Him as to a living stone rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:4-5).

 

Loyalty is defined as being faithful to one’s sovereign, government or state; to be faithful to one’s oath or obligations; or faithful to any person or thing conceived as deserving fidelity. This definition is most appropriate in describing the relationship that is to exist between God and us as His children.

 

Our fervor for worship, attendance, giving of ourselves and our monetary means, sharing the message of the Gospel, visitation and encouragement, benevolence or anything else is dependent upon just how true and authentic Christ is in our lives! Jesus put the ultimate challenge before us when He said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23).

 

We have got to understand that Christianity is a daily involvement. We cannot put our lives on automatic pilot and hope they will end up where they need to be. As one good brother has stated, taking up our cross is just that, it’s taking up our cross not putting up with our cross. The decision is ours. Psalm 53:2 says, “God looks down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there are any who understand, who seek God.”

 

When we serve God with a loyal heart and a willing mind, we can be confident if everybody in the church were just like us, the church would be filled with devoted, trustworthy, dependable, dedicated and committed people.