As Christians … We Help People ... Go To HeavenSample

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As Christians ...

Our service as Christians rests upon the foundation of our identity in Christ. His power always accompanies His will—remember? And any impact we have will come from His power. This means that in terms of lasting impact, my personality, my gifts and my experience are secondary to my identity in Christ. This means a lot to me, as I am often tempted to trust in my own abilities over His. I have accomplished a lot and gotten into my share of trouble with those same “assets”! As Scottish novelist George Mac-Donald said, “In whatever man does without God, he must fail miserably or succeed more miserably.”¹

Second, as Christians, Christ has forgiven us. That compels us to make an impact. How could we receive all that we have and sit on the bench when such an important game is being played? Second Corinthians chapter 1 says that we ourselves are comforted “so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.” Often, a lack of impact in our lives stems from not realizing the impact of Christ’s salvation. Passive Christians are those who have not spent time discovering all that God has done for them. Their thought is that Jesus changes morality, and where you spend Sunday morning, but not your view of the world. The cross moves us from darkness to light, not from shadow to shade. We are new creations in Christ. Therefore, in His power—changed by Him—we step out in faith to make a difference.

Scotty Sanders is a modern example of this. She grew up in a pastor’s home but drifted from the general will of God. She became a singer in Las Vegas and then married one of the famous golfers of her day. Eventually, Scotty recognized her life had been about her, not Christ. As she woke up to what Christ had truly done in her heart, she returned to Christ. Experimenting with her heart of compassion, she began serving the poor. By living His general will, His specific will rose. Today, 20 years later, Scotty is the director of our church’s local mission efforts to the needy. Life is immeasurably different for Scotty regarding joy and purpose. She serves in Christ’s strength, yielding each day to Him. She serves because of the change He has made in her.

Note

1. George MacDonald, Unspoken Sermons, series 2 (Charleston, SC: BiblioBazaar, 2006), p. 248.