Have you ever struggled with doing the right thing? Or maybe you were doing the right things but for the wrong reason. Often times we can get pretty discouraged when we are doing things because of the sin in our life. We do something only if it is going to benefit us. Hopefully this little bit of thought will help you out when you struggle with this thought.
First, you always must remember that in all of our trials and struggles to do good we will still fall well short of what God expects. No matter how good you are the Bible says "All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away." Isaiah 64:6. What this says is that no matter how good you think you are, in God's eyes you are still filthy cause of the sin in your life.
Second, remember that God loved us while we were yet sinners. Romans 5:8 speaks volumes on the love Jesus Christ had for us. In other words everything that we do and struggle with God knows about, yet He still died for us. Hebrews chapter 9 & 10 say alot about this as well. Read Hebrews 9:13-15 & 10:1-17. The major point being made is Christ's sacrifice is a once for all, never to be redone. Jesus showed His love for us in dying and that sacrifice was the final and perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world. In 10:14 when you acknowledge Christ you have forever been made perfect. That doesn't mean sinless, it means that your sins have been cast as far as the east is from the west. Forgotten. Gone. Never to return. But this isn't the end.
Third, Romans chapter 6 tells us to not keep on sinning because of Christ's sacrifice. 6:12 says do not let sin control the way you live, and do not give in to sinful desires. In 6:13 it tells us to use our bodies as instruments of righteousness. The actual thought or idea is to use your bodies as weapons of righteousness. When you use your very self as a weapon of righteousness for the name of Christ you as a shining city on a hill. So the idea is to use your body as a tool to do good to others. This shows others the love of Christ. Have you ever thought about how you are the very weapon that is taking part and doing battle in the Spiritual world? That is what is at stake. Your good works are a proof of your faith James 2:14-26. Hebrews 10:24 says, "Let us consider how to spur one another on toward love and good deeds. I hope this helps you out, because at some point in life we all struggle with this.
This past weekend we had 58 people go to S.P.E.J. which stands for Swings, Paintball, Eating & Judgment House. It was awesome! We had a bast with the swings and paintball as you can see with the pictures posted. But what is the best is that 2 people accepted Christ as their Lord and Savior. What a Rush. What an Experience.
"If only for One." In all that we do as a youth minstry and a Church leads at least one to Christ then we have succeeded. But let us not be comfortable or satisfied with reaching only one. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is so much bigger than that. It is the word of truth that reveals the truth of salvation to all. I always want to celebrate a victory, but let's not be satisfied. Sometimes satisfaction is what Satan uses to keep us comfortable. Lets continue reaching out to those who have yet to respond to Christ. Always keep in mind the deliberate mediocrity is a sin and that we shouldn't be satisfied with one. Let's keep pushing and keep loving. You guys are doing a great job.
