WELL DONE

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.   For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world;  but that the world through Him might be saved.”   (John 3: 16-17)

Jesus is the reason for our spiritual birth where our Spirit is aligned with God’s will and

guided by spiritual principles.   This adoption into God’s inheritance empowers us to live righteously.   The Holy Spirit regenerates our hearts and minds to live  according to God’s will with a willingness to obey His Word.   The supernatural work of the Spirit gives us the willpower and strength to change our perspectives, values and priorities to conform to every ordinance of God’s divine plan of salvation.

We gain access to every promise of God as we reflect His character and grow into a more deeper intimacy with Him as we exhibit every fruit of the Spirit.   Sin doesn’t have dominion over you, you no longer enjoy it and the freedom that comes from being liberated is so refreshing.   Angels rejoice, the Church and Saints rejoice and you do too as well.  

Your personal development is unlike anything you can imagine as you discover Who God really is.   He begins to manifest Himself as He reveals your purpose for His Kingdom.   The spiritual awakening is also the awareness that there is a devil who longs for your soul again, therefore prompting you to live as God intended from the garden of Eden.

God has given us everything that pertains to life and godliness.   Man chooses that which is according to his nature but when we are imparted with God’s Holy Spirit we choose that which is divine and spiritual.   We choose to be like Jesus with love, mercy and grace.   We choose kindness over anger, love over hate and we choose to give all of ourselves without holding back.   We choose to obey whatever the cost.   We obey Him and He blesses us.   We put our faith and trust in Him and He will heal, deliver, protect, provide, comfort, restore and save us.   Trusting God is thinking and acting according to His will in spite of circumstances, feelings or consequences.

But He expects us to love Him, keep all of His commandments and to maintain sweet communion and fellowship with Him.   His mighty power and amazing grace handles the rest.

God’s desire that we obey His will is not arbitrary, impulsive or demanding.   And they are not difficult, unreasonable or unfair.   He simply wants us to reflect His character.   Obedience is not merely something we get to do, it is a blessing because we get to discover Who God is in all of His glory.   We live in His strength, His principles guide us and we rest in His peace.   The blessings overtake us and we find new frontiers wherever He leads.   And then there’s the added bonuses when He eases our troubled minds, mends our broken hearts, calms all of our fears, comforts us when we’re hurting emotionally, provides for every need, answers our prayers and gives us rest when chaos is all around us.

So, we see God at work all around us every single day.   The question is, “What shall I render unto the LORD for all His benefits toward me?”   (Psalm 116: 12)    Jesus set the ultimate example of self-sacrificing love so that we may know what it means to truly be devoted to Him and to completely shun all evil and to do good.

In these last days, at the tail end of our journey, people have become more complacent and stagnant.   There is a lack of motivation and effort to serve the Lord heart, mind, body, soul and strength.   There is no room for improvement or personal growth because they think they have it all together.   There is a lack of concern in them that prevents them from acknowledging their shortcomings and there is a self-satisfaction in them that everything is good, so don’t bother me.   We have to remember that people are watching us, including the Saints.

“And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.”  (Acts 24: 16)    Our walk with God is an active effort and a continuous commitment and practice to living a way of holiness and also a way that avoids offence.   As Paul examined his life, so shall we.   It is a daily living of our lives in a manner that glorifies God as we strive to be pleasing to Him.   It is a way of integrity, love, honesty, purity, where our actions align with our beliefs.   Like Paul, our conscience should be free from condemnation before God as well as accusations before man.   Men judge us as to how we live, how we act, what we do and what we don’t do.   It’s about keeping ourselves pure before a holy God.   We surely don’t want to be a stumbling block to anyone so the manner in which we should be representing is that of a holy, Christ-like saint of God, without spot, wrinkle or such like.

The mark of a true Christian is in his/her fruit and how they act.   A faithful servant demonstrates action to reflect a deep devotion to God.   It is a form of worship and a way to honor God doing everything for the glory of God.   A good steward is trustworthy in managing the responsibilities God has given them.   They are reliable and committed to righteousness as they use their resources, abilities and opportunities to advance the Kingdom.

Good stewardship signifies a good performance in being diligent, devout, productive, consecrated and holy.   They honor God with every good thought, idea, intention and action.   They work out everything in conformity to the purpose of God’s will because to Him belongs all the glory, all the credit, all the attention and all the applause.   “In Whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will:  That we should be to the praise of His glory, who first trusted in Christ.   In Whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation : in Whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of His glory.”   (Ephesians 1: 11-14)

The level of your commitment determines the level of your obedience.   “Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in His statutes, and to keep His commandments, as at this day.”  (1 Kings 8: 61)    Paul sent letters to the Churches emphasizing the importance of faithfulness and perseverance in service to God.   We are tasked with being great examples but we take calculated risks when we choose to ignore wise instructions.   There is no perfect church so I believe that every church would be getting a letter from Paul if he were alive.   There is too much flesh and too many divisions that has taken over the church.

It is a fact that the closer we get to the Lord’s coming the more we are slacking off when we should be eagerly anticipating His return.   We let anything and anyone hinder the One Who should be top priority in our lives.   God is not an option!   But He is treated as one, especially on Sunday church mornings.   When He is not our number one priority we tend to seek out more desired options.   In other words, doing what I want to do!   The excuses we have for not attending church implies a lack of commitment and importance in the relationship with God.   We lack desire, interest and concern for the church.   If God was number One He would be valued and given precedence over everything in terms of time, energy and attention.

And since God is not an option, there should be no alternatives available to a particular decision, action or plan when it come down to God’s will, including going to church.   Jesus went to church regularly.   “And they went into Capernaum;  and straightway on the sabbath day He entered into the synagogue, and taught.   And they were astonished at His doctrine:  for He taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes.”  (Mark 1: 21-22)     “And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee:  and there went out a fame of Him through all the region round about.   And He taught in their synagogues, being glorified of all.   And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up:  and, as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.   And He said unto them, I must preach the kingdom of God to other cities also:  for therefore am I sent.   And He preached in the synagogues of Galilee.”  (Luke 14-16 & 44-45)     

The lame man went directly into the church praising God after he was healed.   Solomon built a beautiful temple for worship.   “And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven:   And he said, LORD God of Israel, there is no God like Thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, Who keepest covenant and mercy with Thy servants that walk before Thee with all their heart…”  (1 Kings 8: 22-23)   Many others attended church as required because they worshipped God for Who He is.   “I will extol Thee, my God, O king;  and I will bless Thy name for ever and ever.   Every day will I bless Thee; and I will praise Thy name for ever and ever.   Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised;  and His greatness is unsearchable.   One generation shall praise Thy works to another, and shall declare Thy mighty acts.   I will speak of the glorious honour of Thy majesty, and of Thy wondrous works.   And men shall speak of the might of Thy terrible acts:  and I will declare Thy greatness.   They shall abundantly utter the memory of Thy great goodness, and shall sing of Thy righteousness.   The LORD is gracious, and full of compassion;  slow to anger, and of great mercy.   The LORD is good to all:  and His tender mercies are over all His works.   All Thy works shall praise Thee, O LORD;  and Thy saints shall bless Thee.”   (Psalm 145: 1-10)

Now we all know that there will be times when we just can’t make it to church, but is it due to sickness or an emergency?   Remember that God sees the heart and the motivation.   His commandments are not grievous, unreasonable or unfair.   We have left the old-time religion where the church was on one accord.  "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord." (Psalm 122: 1)   We have lost the fire for God that we once had.   We have become stiffnecked and at times enablers when we should be encouragers.   How can we expect God to answer our prayers when we don’t walk right?   “Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that It cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that It cannot hear:   But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, that He will not hear.”  (Isaiah 59: 1-2)

It is time to rise up out of the ashes.   “And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep:  for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.   The night is far spent, the day is at hand:  let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.   Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying.   But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.”  (Romans 13: 11-14) The flesh is our enemy.   It gets us into so much trouble and sometimes we don’t even recognize it.   Disobedience has consequences.   It could very well be that some of our prayers haven’t been answered yet as a result of a sin that was committed.   God will afflict too!   He rewards the good as well as the bad.   Jonah learned the hard way.   “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.”   (James 4: 17)   Sins of omission is failure to perform an action that is required or expected.   Neglecting to do so is rebellion and defiance.

Do your best and the hard work will pay off.   “Be not deceived;  God is not mocked:  for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.   For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption;  but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.”   (Galatians 6: 7-8)     Your earthly service connects you to heavenly rewards for eternity.   God extends us fresh grace and new mercies every day, but it’s not an excuse to sin but rather a reason to love and serve Him more fully.

We can never be saved on the basis of good works.   Our righteousness is as filthy rags but God provides the power for us to live the Christian life.   Those who struggle in his/her own will to live that life will fail in the attempt.   We need Him in every situation because we are no match for Satan.

Do not be deceived, Saints of God.   In order to hear the words “WELL DONE,” make sure you’re living according to the standards that God has commanded us.   It requires 100% work and sacrifice.   “For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.”  (James 2: 26)  

Get back to the heart of worship where God was your first love.   Where it was sheer joy and a pleasure to serve Him with every fiber of our being.   Where it was a thrill to go into the house of the Lord to praise and to get our instructions on righteousness.   Let holiness and worship be a testament of your love and devotion to Him.   Let His Words resonate deeply within your Spirit and activate a willingness and desire to REPRESENT HIM WELL.   Let us not be drawn away with the company we keep.   Let us abstain from all appearance of evil.   Do away with the excuses and take responsibility for your mistakes, the anger, gossip, hostility, attitude, unfaithfulness, bad reactions, thoughts and all of the things that make us unfruitful.   Be Hot or Cold!   The lukewarm state is where we are deceived and can’t see our flaws.   This is a comfort zone where Satan has you blinded into thinking that you are okay.   Others can see what you can’t.   Don’t rebel but accept godly counsel when it is done lovingly to correct you.    “…be sure your sin will find you out.”   (Numbers 32: 23)

Ask God to help you to be better, to mold you into His divine image, to purify you.   Strip off fleshly lust that seems innocent to you but repulsive to God.   Guard your hearts, eyes and ears from vulgar movies and secular music.   “If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways;  then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”  (2 Chronicles 7: 14)

Fill your hearts and minds with the Word of God as your hands do good works and your feet walk in the light.   Be zealous for Christ.   “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,   Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;  Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;  Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.  These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.”  (Titus 2: 11-15)

Be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of God.   Know that your labor is not in vain and you shall receive a just reward.   When you actively do all that you have been taught, you can say with all assurance that all is well and Jesus is well pleased.   “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant:  thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things:  enter thou into the joy of thy lord.”  (Matthew 25: 21)