Are We Faithful Servants?

Are We Faithful Servants? by Gene Poore What do believers carry out in the name of religion? Are the results worthy of God’s Praise? Will Jesus say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant? . . .” (MAT 25:21). Or will Jesus rebuke? “I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.” (REV 3:15-16). Therefore, “I never knew you: depart from me. . . .” (MAT 7:23). Those are harsh words from the Redeemer. When those within and without the church hear Jesus’ abrasive words directed at them, so sad, too bad, too late. Lukewarm Christians have only themselves to blame. Jesus warned, “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father. . . .” (MAT 7:21). Jesus said nothing about doing our own work, spouting our own opinion, or doing our own will. We must inject the Father’s Will into our life. How do we inject God’s will into our life? By admitting we are part of the “all,” because “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. . . .” (ROM 3:23). Further, scripture states our denial of sin stands as no excuse. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we say that we have not sinned, we make [the Lord] a liar, and [the Lord’s] word is not in us.” However, “If we confess our sins, [the Lord] is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1JO 1:8-10). Therefore, recognizing sin becomes our first step. Once we recognize ourselves as part of the “all,” with heartfelt guilt we confess our sins to God. Then we ask Jesus to come into our heart as Savior and to lead our life as our Lord. Baptism follows, “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. . . .” (MAT 28:19). Once these steps are complete, Jesus tells the Christian servant, “Whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken [that servant] unto a wise man. . . .” (MAT 7:24). Yet, we cannot do what Jesus said if we have not heard what Jesus said. Why else does scripture direct us to assemble? Jesus knew “Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” (ROM 10:17). Thus, when we assemble and study scripture, we see scripture; we sense scripture’s wrap around us; we “hear” scripture through all our senses. Assembling and studying scripture, we seek approval “unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth.” (2TI 2:15). Truth, “Given by inspiration of God . . . Is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. . . .” (2TI 3:16). When we, as God’s servants, as God’s workers, become hearers and doers of the Word, Jesus calls us “The salt of the earth. . . . The light of the world.” Our light shines so bright the glare glories the “Father which is in heaven.” (MAT 5:13-16). When we, as God’s servants, as God’s workers, become hearers and doers of the Word, on the day we stand before Jesus, we will hear Jesus say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant. . . .”