We are here for a purpose. To be useful, we need to be set aside for that purpose. Salvation and sanctification have to do with that setting aside. Satan doesn’t want us to fulfill our purpose; one of his great gambits is to keep us focused on the salvation and sanctification so that we never move on to fulfilling a purpose. It is that gambit that keeps us sitting in pews wanting to hear yet again that we are saved; contemplating further this mystery of sanctification. He keeps us in a vicious cycle of recognizing our sinful nature, knowing we need a savior and turning to Christ. I know folks who have “gone forward” to accept salvation numerous times, but have never taken a single step to further the Kingdom past themselves. They become obsessed with “losing” their salvation or “becoming more holy.” As righteous as that sounds; it is completely SELF righteous; for it is completely focused on self.
To be holy doesn’t mean to be good, it means to be set aside for a purpose. To have a purpose, you have to do something.
Have you EVER told anyone about Jesus? Have you lifted a hand to help one widow or orphan or prisoner? Do you delight in the belief that “God is still working on me” and that one day you will do something that will give your life eternal meaning? Or does it have meaning now?
The grace of God is absolute and limitless, and the work of salvation through Jesus is complete and finished forever. I am not being saved— I am saved. Salvation is as eternal as God’s throne, but I must put to work or use what God has placed within me. To “work out [my] own salvation” (Philippians 2:12) means that I am responsible for using what He has given me. He has given me talents and resources. What have a done today to use these gifts for His glory?
Tomorrow is Sunday and it will be great to attend service; but it would be so much better to bring someone, to help someone, to DO something.
Aren’t you tired of being useless?
Nick
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