SERVANTHOOD - CHOICES AND COSTS

I Was Just Thinking About – SERVANTHOOD – CHOICES & COSTS.

Anyone who is a Biblical Christian will have choices to make. Some of these choices can involve life and death considerations. Others can involve personal sacrifice and costs. The following is copied from Today In The Word – June 22, 2018:

Pastor Martin Niemöller spent seven years in Nazi concentration camps. At the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, D.C., his words are on display: “First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Trade Unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.”

Similarly, “Esther faced a similar moral and spiritual challenge. Haman had plotted and the Persian emperor had decreed genocide against her people. Would she speak out? Would it do any good? Esther’s uncle, Mordecai, told her to plead to the king for mercy. Such a course of action involved risking her life, for if she entered the king’s presence without being summoned and if he then didn’t pardon her by extending his scepter, she would be killed…Remaining silent would be a choice of fear, not faith.” The wise words of her Uncle, Mordecai, should impact our thoughts and choices as we follow Jesus Christ. We note in Esther 4:13-14, “Mordecai told them to reply to Esther: Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” 

The critical and crucial words, the bottom line for all committed followers of Jesus Christ, are: “For Such A Time As This…” We should  consider this challenged with the words of Paul in Second Timothy 3:1-6,  “But understand this: In the last days terrible times will come.  For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,  having a form of godliness but denying its power. Turn away from such as these!” By way of ministry and presentation of the Gospel to such as these, are we motivated by Mordecai’s words: For Such A Time As This?

It is somewhat intriguing to read reports from various denominations as they have held their annual meetings to discuss and determine how best to reach the world “for such a time as this”! Over the years, I have heard and read resolutions that were presented and approved - intended to reach our culture for Jesus Christ. One can only wonder – is this something that we merely talk about – or – something that we return to our churches and actually do. Years ago, I and an officer in the church, attended an Evangelism Conference that featured two well-known speakers. The meeting was held in Kansas City. There was a point when the principle speaker stated: “We have discussed evangelism and given you tools that have been proven to be workable and that will gain results. Now – go out into the city and put them into use. We will meet back here in the evening so you can share with one another about the responses to your effort.” He then added: “Some of you will NOT do this assignment. When you return, we’ll know who you are!” Guess what? Some did not return! That absence spoke volumes!

How about you? Are you a hearer only? Maybe a talker? Or, are you a doer? As you consider your response, think about James 1:22. “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only. Otherwise, you are deceiving yourselves.” Prayerfully – consider these things with me.