Musick-al Note # 146
Do you expect to do no work in the church, make no commitments, attend only when you desire, live as you want to live, have little to do with the brethren, encourage no one, take no responsibility in the vineyard of the Lord and still get to heaven? Our Lord never gave a single teaching that would imply that such could be done, yet many Christians are living just like this and say they have hope of heaven. Jesus called for “workers” to go work in His vineyard (Matthew 9:38). He said, “Deny yourself, take up your cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23), “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34), Peter said to “Love one another fervently” (1 Peter 1:24), Jesus taught the parable of the talents to the end that every man must take the responsibility of the talents given him to use them or be destroyed when He returns (Matthew 25:14-30). Jesus taught that we had influence as the light of the world (Matthew 5:14-16). We ought therefore to let our light shine so that others will be drawn to the Christ and the Father. If we so act toward the Lord’s church that it is of little concern to us, that we go to places and do those things which Christians ought not to go and do, then we will be condemned because our influence for good was hidden beneath personal desires and the fulfilling of the lusts of the flesh.
Jesus is God’s only begotten Son, existing from eternity to eternity, sent from the glories of heaven to purchase our redemption (Hebrews 5:8-9), having paid the highest purchase price possible (1 Peter 1:18) His own life to insure our salvation, and making it possible that we might enter into the eternal realm with God to inhabit those mansions of unbelievable beauty and glory, to enjoy everlasting life without loss or fear. Seeing that Jesus love us so much and desires us so much, ought we not to put forth our best effort to respond to Him? If Jesus means little to us, if the price He paid to redeem us from sin is naught, if heaven is a small inheritance and we exchange it for the pleasures of the world, then there is no hope for us. Can we really expect all goodness from Him while we live selfish, ungodly and worldly lives? It isn’t impossible for us to give ourselves to be His servants to do His will, to encourage others, to assemble with the saints, to live for Jesus daily and influence others to follow Him, but it does take dedication, determination, love and work to do it.
Gordon Musick
Musick-al Notes 