09/05/2013 - THE RIGHT WAY TO DO THE WORK OF GOD

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And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.

Matthew 4.23

Jesus used to enter the synagogue (where the Jews gathered to pray and listen to the preaching of the Scriptures) and there he would fulfill his mission, doing our Father’s will. He showed that we must use the power that God has given us. All of us who have been saved and are filled with the Holy Spirit must have this understanding, and then strive to fulfill our mission.

By watching how Christ acted during his ministry on earth, we can say that he did his work in three stages: first he would teach, then he would preach and later he would use the power of God. When the work is carried out in this order, it is done in a full manner. We should follow our Master’s example, because this is the right way of keeping the Lord’s commands. And he who walks this path will achieve the same results in their ministry.

Jesus’ example was established so that we may follow it. Therefore, it is our duty to be imitators of the Lord, and this way we will have him always with us. Those who live in rebellion (those who make up things not written in the Bible and teach them) are not doing the work of God. Jesus said that the same gospel that he preached must be preached everywhere in the world (Matthew 24.14). It is our duty to announce the good news, like Jesus did, and achieve the same results.

Jesus will teach you in your synagogue, the most intimate place in your inner being, where your power of decision lies: your spirit. The teachings of man are for the mind; the teachings of God are for the spirit. The Lord’s instructions make us understand the difference between right and wrong, what comes from God, what comes from man and what comes from the devil. Those who learn from the Lord become wiser than their masters.

After teaching, Jesus would announce the good news of the kingdom of God, pointing out what the Father would do in the lives of everyone, if they just grew in what they were learning. The preaching wakes us up, so that we can take the necessary steps and nurture our faith. And it is through our faith that we can demand all evil to leave. The preaching of the Word is essential for us to take possession of everything that we have learned from the Bible.

Through faith arising in the hearts of his listeners, Jesus used God’s power; then the sick were healed, the oppressed were freed and everyone was able to abandon sin, the devil, and became converted to the only true God. This is the work that will make those who are lost to surrender to Jesus. This is the work that can be called work of God.

The news about the things God can do spreads quickly and more people who are lost will seek him to receive blessings. What happened to the Samaritan woman, which brought men from her city to see he whom had done everything (John 4.28-30) still happens today.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares

 

 

18/03/2011 - The right way to do the work of God

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\”What is my reward then? That when I preach the gospel, I may present the gospel of Christ without charge, that I may not abuse my authority in the gospel.” (I Corinthians 9: 18)

People work because they want to get their pay cheque. Those who sow are aiming at reaping. Those who preach the Gospel must do it bearing in mind the reward from the Lord. We’ve got to gather treasures for our eternal life (Matthew 6: 19, 20). Never charge anyone or accept any payment for what you do in the Name of God. Follow Paul’s instructions: don’t abuse your power in the Gospel (Matthew 10: 8).

Each work we do in the Gospel will be rewarded. Those who were called to serve the Most High in the last minute will get the same reward as those who’ve been in the field since the beginning (Matthew 20: 1-16). The Lord pays as He wishes and that’s undoubtedly the best method. We must have hope we’ll receive the prize from Him. However, we’ve got to do the job according to His guidance; otherwise we’ll surely have to pay for the harm we’ve caused – I mean the lives that will be lost due to our bad example.

Our work in the Lord is similar to what the ploughman does in the field. When you’re planting the genuine and immortal Seed, your main goal is to get a richer harvest than your plantation. God grants growth as long as the sowing and the watering have been done at the right time. David cheered up as he found out about the reward that Saul would give to the one who defeated the giant (I Samuel 17). Our souls must also rejoice with the promises for us. Now, listen! The Lord won’t allow to be mocked – we’ll reap what we sow (Galatians 6: 7).

It’s not wrong to stare at the reward. Jesus Himself promised a thirty and sixty and a hundred-time multiplied refund (Matthew 13: 23; Mark 4: 20). Why not wish and request what you’ve been promised? Of course we serve Him with love. Yet, we do like the farmer: he loves the land because he makes a living there. There’s nothing wrong to expect that that very thing we sow in tears will be brought back to us so we’ll reap our sheaves in joy (Psalm 126:5, 6).

The secret is to gather spiritual treasures for eternity. We won’t have to work there; there’ll be only the reward for what we did here on Earth as we worked for God. Those who are seeking what they deem to be “other more important things” will be ashamed and desperate to see that they’ve been given nothing at all. Beware not to use the talents you were granted the wrong way! (Matthew 25: 14 – 30)

Many workers of the Lord behave in such a way that doesn’t make sense at all. Like Gehazi, they’re interested in the reward some Syrian general might give them. (II Kings 5: 20) There are those who dare to charge their service to fulfil the mission they’ve been assigned. In my opinion, a Christian musician shouldn’t even be paid royalties for the song they’ve composed or recorded. But it’s all right if the recording company decides to pay them.

A servant of God must hold on to the opportunity of doing something that will produce praises to the Lord. You must never seek a reward from men whatever the case; never charge or accept payment for what you’ve done in the Name of the Lord. Don’t take advantage of your power in the Gospel.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares