New Beginnings

Recently I did a series on "New Beginnings" at our local church and decided to add some of the thought that I had to this blog. In the body of Christ today we have so many people that are sitting in their local churches not involved in any area at all and are spiritually dry. Many just come to church religiously as a part of their lifestyle which I would commend but not realizing that there is so much more that God has for them and that God expects from them as well. Pastor Jack Hayford in a commentary is Quoted "Salvation must express itself in progressive Christian living and upright character, not only individually, but through obedient participation in God's corporate call to the local church". This was a commentary based on the scripture found in Philippians 2:12,13 where the apostle Paul talked about christians "working out their own salvations with fear and trembling". I believe that many believers simply believe that salvation is soley for their benefit and to think that God could expect to benefit from their salvation isn't even considered. God didn't save us so that we could simply fill a place in heaven but also to fulfill a function both now and in heaven. Remember when God created Man in Genesis, it wasn't just to lay around the garden of eden, He gave man a purpose Genesis 1:28, Genesis 2:15. Today for whatever reason many in the church are idle and the bible teaches us to "warn those that are idle". Friends we were saved to serve!

I do want to encourage us that the bible clearly points out three areas that we as Christians are to be active in and it's found in 1st Corinthians 12:4-6 where it outlines these three areas. 1: Diversities of Gifts 2: Differences of Ministries 3: Diversities of Activities. Friends I believe that in one of these areas or a combination of areas every believer will find their function that God has intended for their lives individually and corporately in the local church. We also have to understand that our function will prove our faith as well as bring glory to God in several areas as we live and move and have our being in Him. I'll comment further on this in my next blog so for now be blessed and pursue Christ.