For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified.
~ Romans 2:13 (ESV)
I can watch Cooking shows on TV, collect recipes, buy cookbooks…but that doesn’t put dinner on the table.(just ask my sweet husband..:) )
I can read God’s WORD, but just “reading” it isn’t enough. I can even memorize scripture..but what good is that if I don’t put it into practice.
If you buy the bait for fishing, and you don’t put it on your fishing pole..How do you expect to catch a fish?
I can own 5 or 6 Bibles… BUT, if I am not studying HIS Word..the BIBLES are just decoration or dust collectors.
Getting the picture yet?
Followers of Christ are called to ACTION. Complacency isn’t an option.
What good is it to KNOW GOD personally and keep that knowledge to yourself?
If we keep God hidden, then we are NOT doing…we are simply hearing.
I always feel the closest to God when I am serving others. I feel the closest to HIM when I am giving of my time and resources to others..in an effort to further HIS Kingdom. There is NO BETTER feeling!
Why do you/I feel so good when we help others..monetarily, with our time, etc.. ?
I believe the reason is that we are letting Jesus SHINE through when we serve. We are putting HIM on display..not ourselves..but JESUS.
It is important to remember that if you are serving with the attitude of: “look at me”, that you are not shining for Jesus. That is shining for yourself. Yikes. Reality check. Been there and done that. Don’t want to do that again. Who hasn’t? Unless you are perfect, that is.
Are you hiding Jesus?
Do you need to come before HIM and be honest about anything?
As I shared yesterday, He already knows. AND..He is merciful and He is a forgiving God!
I guess that the point I am trying to make is this:
KNOWLEDGE WON’T CATCH A FISH…
You (or I) can know all the right things to say and do, but if we don’t DO it…what good is that?
We (those of us who know, believe & trust in our Savior) are called to be Fishers Of Men. In Matthew 4:19, Jesus tells Peter and his brother Andrew to follow Him and He would make them fishers of men.
Matthew 4:19 ~ “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”
Jesus is the light that shines within us..the light that we are supposed to shine for others to see and come to know Him. Jesus tells about this “light” in Luke 8:16.
Luke 8:16 ~ “No one lights a lamp and hides it in a jar or puts it under a bed. Instead, he puts it on a stand, so that those who come in can see the light.”
I love how Jesus speaks to us. He uses stories..illustrations..so that we can “get it.” The verse above is as clear as it gets. That’s what it’s all about friends! Letting our light(Jesus) shine! By living what we profess to believe. By serving. By loving. By giving. By forgiving. In every way..to let our light SHINE. Knowing what to do and DOING it are two different things.
Matthew 5:16 (ESV) ~ In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Love this song by Kari Jobe… listen and enjoy! 1-02 We Are
Striving to SHINE for Jesus!
P.S. The links that are scattered through this post are of previous posts that I have written. You may want to read them again. I especially love the one about the Fishers of Men… Also, feel free to share my blog with others..It is my hope that others are reached for Christ through the writings in this blog. Blessings to you all! Shine on! ~ Heather 🙂
Hope For The Broken 