Rewards for a faithful life

In Matthew 20:1-28 Christ tells his disciples what on can expect for being a faithful worker in the kingdom of God. One can expect to get the same reward as everyone else no matter how long they have been faithful, as seen by the parable of the laborers in the field. Christ does not promise any special seating in heaven as James and John found out by the denial of the mother’s request by Jesus. In fact what we can expect is mistreatment by the world. Jesus told his disciples that they could expect to drink of the same cup he was about to go through (though not exactly like his). What one must do however to be found in favor in the Kingdom of God (here and now as well as in the future) is to be the servant to all, just as Christ came. This shows the superiority of humility over pride and how God blesses the humble. Psalm 25:8-10 shows how God blesses the humble with instruction and in what is right, loving and faithfulness, all of which are the ways of God. I must be humble in my ministry in the church while not expecting any favors from God. God is not one who owes me anything. It is hard for me to think that since I have been a good little boy for most of my short life and have answered the call to serve the church by going to seminary. Yet all that is just fine to God, but nothing deserving special merit. God is the source of all the good in me and the ways that I faithfully walk are not my own but his ways that He has taught me. I have no bargaining power with God, in fact I am merely his servant. I am expected to therefore be a servant to my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. A small little caveat to that is that I should not expect great payment from the church for my services. I am merely a servant and all I should expect is enough to live on and that God is in control of not me. I am merely his servant and trust in him for sustenance.

A life lived in Faith

Very closely tied to the the last entry is today’s on faith. Faith allows a person to take hold of hope and live it out. Today I read of Moses’ call by God in the wilderness and of Jesus calling his disciples to faith. Both Moses and the disciples must exhibit faith in order to obey God. Moses and the disciples have no resources of their own to give them reason to believe they can carry out their Master’s orders on their own. Moses is a has been who is out in the insignificant desert hunted by the Egyptians. The disciples are a bunch of rag tag men of little education and little worth in the world’s eyes. Yet called called both of them to do mighty deeds and lead His people. This I believe is my situation. I have no significant experience in ministry. My thoughts and words get confused in my writing... (i.e. my blogs!!) How can I accomplish what God want me to do lead men and women in His church? I do it by having faith in Him to supply my needs and give me the direction and tools I will need to do the job. In fact apart from Him my work would be fruitless for until God works in the hearts of those I am ministering to, I will have no fruit in my ministry. My faith must rest in Christ and my prayers must be fervent in order to be found faithful in God’s eyes. I must rely on God and his resources to do the job to which He has called me.

Living a life that holds on to Hope

In my quiet time readings today it struck me how the Christian life is run in hope of the promises of God. For instance Joseph did not want his final resting place to be in Egypt where his life was secure in worldly goods but that it was to rest in the final place that God promised to Jacob's sons. This life lived in view of hope can be clearly seen in the way that Jesus calls his disciples and how they are to trust in Him. For we look in hope of gaining our life through the promises of Christ that we will have life only if we deny ourselves. I live by finding peace of mind and finding my identity not in posessions of this world nor in the success and money I have from my job, but in the following of Christ and finding my identity in his approval and his love. There my hope can be assured as the Creator of this world and all powerful sovereign reign and sees my hope become reality.

Christ the overpowering adversary of Satan

18th January 2006 Matthew edits chapter 12.22-45 in such a way to place Christ as superior to Satan and the self-righteous who unknowingly align themselves with Satan. Christ stands opposed both in both superior power and authority. Those who oppose him do so out of blindness. The self-righteous try to make Jesus look like a magician who is trying to impress people by casting out demons to impress people of his seeming power over Satan. Jesus’ power is not just seeming for Satan is no ally of his and in fact his overt opposition to Satan proves this rather than a sham. Those who are allies of Satan look like Satan and prepare others for further infestation of Satan’s minions. I can tend to emulate these self-righteous allies of Satan by allowing myself to give into worldliness and gradually move away from the truths of Scripture after I try to rid myself of my present sins and accompanying frustrations. Definitely I am not in the same position as those who opposed Christ in such an overt way. But it should make me take notice to not rely on self aggrandizing methods of curing myself of my soul’s ills but walk in humility toward Christlikeness instead. Looking to give Christ the glory and not to make myself look like a spiritual warrior.