Doing all things ...
Have I already mentioned Martha? I wonder was she trying just to impress Yeshua with her devotion to Him? Did she really think He liked people to keep their nose to the grindstone? In response to Martha's complaints about her apparently idle sister, Jesus quietly said, "Only one thing is needed" (Lk 10:42, NIV). He accepts only labors of love. Jesus had the total responsibility of world redemption on His mind, yet He never seemed worried about whether He was doing enough serving. He had time to let Mary sit as His feet – He did not keep jumping up, fretting about all the "important" things that had to be done.
The message I share is that the blessings of God are not given in proportion to our hard work, rather like Rachel being the reward for Jacob's seven years of hard work. It is easy for preachers to castigate people for what they do not do, because we are all human and show signs of it! So they are never short of material to criticize! But our imperfections are forgiven. When Yeshua asked, "What do you do more?" He was not cracking the whip. We do not have to go through agonies for God to be with us, work ourselves up into a sweat for God to keep His promise or strain every muscle to pull down Holy Spirit power.
Just listen to this! "This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? … Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? … He who … works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? (Gal 3:2-5). Christians are singing, "Let me burn out for thee, dear Lord;" and that is just how they end up – burnt out, martyrs to self-imposed demands. Even pastors are supposed to live. We do no need to sing for our supper.
When Paul said he could do all things through our Messiah, he did not mean that he did all things himself, running around in church work like a cat on hot bricks. Some pastors do everything, even turning the handle of the church duplicating machine. They want to be head cook and chief bottle-washer, pump the organ as well as play it. Jesus did not mean us to work all hours that come and take on a multitude of concerns and responsibilities.
But what are we to do ?? Torn between supporting families, and doing the Lord's work. Hard heart ed persons yell :"where is your faith "? or worse. Yet we know He has not left nor forsaken. Maybe it is time to re-examine the motives of those that judge. for it is written that both the rich and poor, Jew and Greek . every person will stand before Him
The message I share is that the blessings of God are not given in proportion to our hard work, rather like Rachel being the reward for Jacob's seven years of hard work. It is easy for preachers to castigate people for what they do not do, because we are all human and show signs of it! So they are never short of material to criticize! But our imperfections are forgiven. When Yeshua asked, "What do you do more?" He was not cracking the whip. We do not have to go through agonies for God to be with us, work ourselves up into a sweat for God to keep His promise or strain every muscle to pull down Holy Spirit power.
Just listen to this! "This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? … Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? … He who … works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? (Gal 3:2-5). Christians are singing, "Let me burn out for thee, dear Lord;" and that is just how they end up – burnt out, martyrs to self-imposed demands. Even pastors are supposed to live. We do no need to sing for our supper.
When Paul said he could do all things through our Messiah, he did not mean that he did all things himself, running around in church work like a cat on hot bricks. Some pastors do everything, even turning the handle of the church duplicating machine. They want to be head cook and chief bottle-washer, pump the organ as well as play it. Jesus did not mean us to work all hours that come and take on a multitude of concerns and responsibilities.
But what are we to do ?? Torn between supporting families, and doing the Lord's work. Hard heart ed persons yell :"where is your faith "? or worse. Yet we know He has not left nor forsaken. Maybe it is time to re-examine the motives of those that judge. for it is written that both the rich and poor, Jew and Greek . every person will stand before Him
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Blessings,
~ Pathways Of Grace
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