WHAT CHRISTIANS ARE TO DO ALWAYS
Pastor J. C. O’’Hair
In every verse mentioned above we find the word “ALWAYS” and in them we learn what Christians can do, by the grace of God, ALWAYS.
Let us ever keep in mind that Christ in heaven is always praying for Christians (Hebrews 7:25) and that “God is faithful Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able.” (I Corinthians 10:13). In the intercessory ministry of Christ hear what He said to His Father in John 11:42, “Thou Nearest Me always.”
Then note God’s all-sufficient grace for every test, every task, and every trial of every Christian: “And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, ALWAYS having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.” II Corinthians 9:8.
Then note II Corinthians 5:6: “Therefore we are ALWAYS confident knowing that whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord.”
“We are ALWAYS confident” - no room for doubt at any time. To be confident always means more than “I hope so.” Faith cometh by hearing the Word of God. Faith is the evidence of things not seen.
God ALWAYS causeth us to triumph in Christ, (II Corinthians 2:14). Outside of Christ there is no triumph, no spiritual blessing, no righteousness, no hope, no life, no salvation. But in Christ all spiritual blessings. (Ephesians 1:3) and all of God’s power that the Christian needs. (Ephesians 1:19 to 23).
The Lord Jesus said, “Men ought ALWAYS to pray (Luke 18:1 and Luke 21:36). Then He instructed Paul to write Ephesians 6:18 and Ephesians 5:20: “Praying ALWAYS with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.” “Giving thanks ALWAYS for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
Christians should pray without ceasing (I Thessalonians 5:17), always. And they should never forget to pray for every member of the Body of Christ, remembering I Corinthians 12:26: “And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it.”
Christians are to be filled with praise and gratitude and give thanks always in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Then note I Peter 3:15 and I Corinthians 15:58: “But sanctify the Lord in your hearts and be ready ALWAYS to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.” “Therefore my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, ALWAYS abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”
Christians are to be on the alert at all times. They are to endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. They are to be partakers of the afflictions of the gospel. They are to make full proof of their ministry (II Timothy 2:2 - II Timothy 1:8 - II Timothy 4:5). They are to be shining lights in the midst of a crooked and perverse human race. (Philippians 2:15 and 16).
Christians are to be ready always to testify for Christ as stated in II Corinthians 4:5 and 6. “Always” does not mean semi-annually or monthly, or once a week in the assembly, but at all times.
And what does it mean to be steadfast and unmoveable, not weary in well doing? What does it mean to ALWAYS abound in the work of the Lord? It means exactly that and great will be the reward, for not one sacrifice, one deed done in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ will be in vain.
“Let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9).
Posted By – Cecil Spivey
If you are blessed by this Bible Messages please E-mail it to your friends.
No comments:
Post a Comment