What Are We Doing?

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open the door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ,……..Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversations be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

 

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

 

I pose the question, “What are we doing?” as with these two passages of scripture Paul’s instruction is clear. I know that I myself fall short in these areas more often than I would like. But are we:

 

~ devoting ourselves to prayer and praying continually?

~ being watchful and attentive?

~ thankful and giving thanks in all circumstances?

~ aware of how we act toward others?

~ making the most of every opportunity?

~ always joyful?

 

Honestly, and truthfully, there are alot of times where these things are difficult or, we may just simply not want to do them. These are only a few areas that we all should be striving to achieve. It is a choice, a decision to live a specific kind of life style. It’s a decision that we are capable of making. No one can make the choice for you. Therefore, these attributes of devotion to prayer, being watchful/attentive, giving thanks at all times, being wise in how we act toward others, making the most every opportunity and being joyful, are representations of a specific kind of life. It is a God filled life. A Godly life. A life living for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

 

If Jesus were to return today to judge the world and all those in it how well would you fair based just off of this list here? If you are like me then I would say we fall very short. What areas of your life line up with God’s standard of living? If our fate were to be judged based off of this list alone, we would be doomed. But we have hope, so “Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans7:25) It is because of His grace we are saved from that fate.

 

Romans 12:1 and 2

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God – this is your spiritual act of worship.” So, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” 

 

This kind of life is one that may only be attained with the help and acceptance of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Because it is the kind of life that He lived and wants for us as well. It’s why He (Jesus Christ) came to give His life TO us, that He may live IN us, so that He could live THROUGH us. These attributes are the fruit of Him living in us and through us. It’s a life that with out Him we would be doomed to an eternity in hell.

 

I know that I am in constant need of His grace and mercy. We are in need of His continual help. For we “are being transformed into His likeness with ever increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” (2 Corinthians 3:18)

 

What are we doing? Are we looking for something more? Are we just going through the motions? Do we give up and say “nobodies perfect.”? That is exactly the point!!!! We aren’t perfect, but Jesus is. And the only way we could ever be acceptable before God is to accept the free gift He gives us through Jesus Christ and let Him live out His perfection through us.

 

So, In light of all this I want to ask you one final question, have you given Jesus control to live through you? I urge you and ask you, to let go and let Jesus fill you up and live through you. May God bless you.