Whats the big deal?!
Why all this talk about being effective? I mean, I am saved…can’t I just be content with that? The sad answer is, many are.
While true Christianity is not works based, the follower of Christ is known by the leading of the Spirit in his or her life. It’s something that cannot be hidden. A person who’s been saved from the reality of eternity separated from God in the flames of Hell understands the importance of giving his life fully to the work of the Father.
“Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions.” Matthew 7:20 NLT
While the above passage was specifically meant as a warning for believers to beware of false prophets, the same passage provides us the ability to check ourselves and whether or not we are recognizable as children of the living King.
Need more? Here’s what the Word says about those who lose their “saltiness”.
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot. You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:13-16 NLT
I’ve saved the scariest picture of what happens to the ineffective for last.
“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and He prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.” John 15:1-8 NLT
The purpose of this post isn’t to bully you into some form of service for the kingdom. Simply put, as Christians, we need to stop and ask ourselves one simple question. Because of what He has done for us, have we decided to give our lives fully to Him? -or are we still serving self?
“And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all He has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind He will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship Him. Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2 NLT
Remember, until He calls us home, be effective for Him!