Action!

Action!

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else. 1 Thessalonians 5:15 NIV

The world celebrates its attraction for keeping and settling scores. The system of the world is built on a pattern of give and take; whatever it is I want to get, I must give first or in return. The world is satisfied with its pursuit of selfish interests as it is the only language it speaks and can understand. It is therefore a bit unfair to demand that the world stop being self-centred. How can you demand from the world something it does not understand, have or can give? A very careful audit of my life is required here: when pressure comes and applies the squeeze, what does my life produce? 

There is an opposite reaction to the world's position, and it has to come from people who are subject to the Word, not the world. Very clearly, Paul mentions his audience, and it is the people called Brethren. It does not matter what your language, race or colour is; as long as we share common submission to the Lordship of Jesus, we are all headed in the same direction and must pull in the same direction. How can Jesus reign in a man's heart and that man will not shine out with the life of Jesus? It is impossible. The presence of Jesus in a man's life defines that man's pursuits and priorities. Even without speaking, I cannot hide the foundations of my life. It must shine out at some point. 

I must strive to do good to all men, no matter what they do to me. I am not asked to do good simply because someone else does it to me first, but because it is all I have and can give, based on who lives inside of me. And it is a life of action, not a passive one. I cannot do good by words alone, but my life must produce something visible and tangible, which is defined as good. I note that what is good is not what I say it is, but what God who lives in me, says it is. I do not live for the applause or approval of men and I do not live also by the condemnation of men. What men say does not move me one way or another, because it is not man that will judge me, but God himself. Once God approves of my life and its offering, it does not really matter what men say. Once God does not approve, it also does not really matter what men say. So, at no time must I live for the applause of men; I don't need it to be all that God wants me to be. 

Finally, as all of us who have God in us live out our lives, we make God known to the world. As I do good to other believers like me, we create a strong bond that is an attraction to those who are outside the faith. They see the love, the life and they are attracted. The family of God grows as more people come in and the circle of love and impact also grows. And that is the message: make God known. Let men see God clearly in me. Let his grace, mercy and love be all that men will see and be drawn to. That is life at its fullest. No one can give you any more. His time of favour is here.