Today’s mini-sermon is the 4th of a 12-part series on the 9th chapter of John. It will be appearing in the Saturday, Sunday and Thursday additions of the Answers2Prayer newsletters.
“As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:4,5)
What fabulous advice given by our Lord and Saviour Himself. We need to do God’s work while we still can! There will be a time, in the near future, when we won’t be able to do God’s work like we used to. Matt 24:21-23 “For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now-and never to be equaled again. If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened.” These upcoming events may look scary, but we won’t have to be alone facing them: Matt 28:20 “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Jesus will be with us! Praise the Lord!
Now when I tell my kids to go see the dentist, otherwise they will get cavities, would they reason: “Oh yeah sure. Cavities aren’t that bad anyway. I’ll wait. I don’t feel like going to the dentist.” No, not my kids! They would make sure to see the dentist that same day! Why is it that we, as Christians, tend to have the opposite reaction? Work now? Why? What’s in it for me? I don’t see the necessity. I have more than enough work at my own job.
Yes, your life may be quite busy, even stressful, but do you ever say: “I work enough. I am tired of working. Forget about taking the trash out. We can just keep it in the corner of our living room. (This is a great way to keep your neighbours from bugging you by their visits!)” or “I am so stressed by my job! I need a break! I will stop eating as it is a chore to me! (Great way to loose weight, by the way!)” or “I had a hectic day! Forget about giving a bath to my kids and putting them to bed. They can just stay up all night if they want to. I am too tired to take care of them.” (I think that is how couch potatoes were created, but I am not too sure about that).
If we have time for our job and to take care of the our own needs and the needs of our families, wouldn’t we have time for God as well? What if God started to catch our mentality and He started to say “I am too tired. Forget about giving the rain in due season, forget about comforting Johnny, forget about this human race.” Would you agree with Him?
God constantly gives His time for us, and He will provide the time necessary for us to do His work. In fact, my experience is that the more time I spend for God, the more time I have for myself and my family, and not only that, but the more energy God gives me as well! I am less tired when I do God’s work! He blesses those who give. His rewards are unbelievable.
“Well, God can take care of His own work! I take care of my own!” God doesn’t work that way. He could, but He won’t. Did He free Israel from Egypt all by Himself or did He enroll Moses to be His spokesman? Was Jesus the only one to preach the gospel or did he enlist His disciples as well? Did God convert Nineveh all by Himself or did He use Jonah to preach a message of hope? God always uses humans in His plans. Why? Because He cares for us, because we grow so much more when we start to stop depending on ourselves and start depending on Him.
“But what could I do for God?” This is a start, but it isn’t the right question. You can do nothing for God. Jesus is clear about that John 15:5 “Apart from me you can do nothing.” The question is more about what God can to for you and through you. What kind of partnership with God would He like to see you involved with? The best way to find out is to pray, “Lord, I am yours. Guide me to do whatever you would like for me to do with you as my partner. Guide me through your Holy Spirit and I will follow your lead.” Be assured that God will eventually let you know (especially after preparing you) through His Holy Spirit. John 16:13: “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth.”
Are you ready to experience God’s power in your life? Are you ready to spend some time with God as your partner? Are you ready to start having more time and being less tired because you are being reenergized by God’s Holy Spirit? The choice is yours. Pray about it. You won’t be disappointed.
Finally 2 verses!
In His love,
Rob Chaffart
Answers2Prayer Ministries, www.Answers2Prayer.org
(To access the entire “I was Blind, but now I See” mini-series, please click here.)