Wake Up, Finish Up.

“To the angel of the church in Sardis write: 

   These are the words of him who holds the seven spirits of God and the seven stars. I know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up! Strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God. Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; hold it fast, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.

Revelation 3:1-3 NIV

Sometimes we don't need to be reminded that Jesus loves us or that God will work out everything for our good. We don't need to sit around until a nice warm-fuzzy hits us and we decide it's time to do something for Jesus. We just need to remember, he's not done and neither are we. The angel tells the church at Sardis, "I have found your deeds unfinished in the sight of my God." Finish. 

Down deep inside you alone know what's going on. You know what you are supposed to do. Now listen. I'm not one of those people who believe everybody should be a missionary to the other side of the world (because then we'd just all be swapping places). But I do believe that you grow where you are planted. Where does God have you? Who does God have in your life? Finish living for Jesus where he has you. 

Somebody tell me what God wants them to finish...

What to Hold On To

But we ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because God chose you as firstfruits to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brothers and sisters, stand firm and hold fast to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

2 Thessalonians 2:13-15 NIV

I think sometimes we unintentionally fall into a few traps. In our sincerity to try to please God and we can miss the simplicity of the amazing grace of God in Christ Jesus our Lord and Savior. We sometimes seek that illusive experience where we suddenly understand it all and our faith becomes unshakeable. 

There is no mystical experience that turns us into super-saints that never sin, doubt or waiver. There is the wonderful truth that Jesus died to cover all our sins, he is faithful even when we are not, and his love for us will never be broken. 

There was a famous theologian who was interviewed near the end of his life and asked what was the most important thing he learned. He thought for a moment and then replied, "Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so."

Just a Little Test

Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. 

1 Corinthians 8:1 NIV

Just one little test. Does it build up? Is what I am about to say going to build the other person up or just puff me up? Did you ever notice that often when we put someone else down, it's really just to make us look better?

I can think of at least two situations yesterday alone where if I am honest with myself, I was not really trying to build someone else up. 

OK. So, no condemnation. What do I do? Well, for me, I have to find a way to build up those people. Sometimes, for me, it is hard because dealing with belligerent, uncontrolled teen agers who probably just need a good old fashion wood shed experience, is very challenging. Telling the truth in love is not always just a warm fuzzy exchange. But, the bottom line, the test is always: does it build up? 

Bullseye

Several days later Felix came with his wife Drusilla, who was Jewish. He sent for Paul and listened to him as he spoke about faith in Christ Jesus. As Paul talked about righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said, “That’s enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you.” 

Acts 24:24-25 NIV

Sometimes you can get involved in a conversation with someone and it works it's way into being an opportunity to share the gospel. A few months ago the family had gotten together for a weekend and someone brought a friend. He was a nice guy who enjoyed talking about just about anything, including politics and religion. 

When I was talking to him we started talking about religions which of course led to Christianity. The thing about intellectual and skeptical people is they tend to assume they speak from the moral high ground. In other words they see themselves outside the argument and therefore above it. 

Christianity is about personally dealing with Jesus. Even discussing the historical accuracy, authority and validity of Christ and the Scripture will naturally become a direct encounter with Jesus Christ. So, the friend suddenly got a bit defensive because it was no longer just an idea we were talking about. When Christianity is seen as what it is, people are confronted with a life changing choice. That makes them afraid. 

Felix the governor had Paul leave when it got a bit real. The friend of the family wanted out of the conversation as soon as Christ was spoken of as real. Bullseye.