Christian life begins with Christ and continues with Christ, but as we live for Christ, what are some of the steps one has to take.
To abide in Christ and to be aligned with his will, falls short in the Christian life, when one does not act. God is very explicit about this as one of his disciples, James makes it clear that “Faith without action is dead.” (James 1:17; James 2:26) The founder of Jeet Kune Do, Lee Jun-fan (known to many as Bruce Lee) is attributed to have quoted “Knowing is not enough, we must apply. Willing is not enough, we must do.” To will to do God’s will without doing is not enough. Jesus was not only known for the things he preached but also for the mighty acts he did (Luke 24:19). We must be ACTive for Jesus Christ.
Step 4 in Christian life is to Act – act in accordance to his will, in service to him. What kind of service are Christians called to? We are called to serve one another, but not merely as servants, but soldiers as well.
To be a servant of Christ Jesus does not necessarily mean, being a slave to him (although being called a bondservant (slave) of Christ would indeed be one of the highest accolades, active Christians can be honored with). It is not a sign of weakness but a sign of meekness and power, because as a servant of Christ, Christians are not called to be a doormat to be trampled upon, but they are called to bear the mighty weapons of God as soldiers for Christ. We are enlisted in God’s army and we serve behind enemy lines, fighting not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual forces, because the god of this world (the devil) has blinded the minds of many. The spirit of the antichrist is already in the world denying the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ in flesh (1 John 4:3) and so when Christian act in service to Jesus Christ, claiming his birth, death and resurrection, it is diametrically contrary to what the devil uses his servants to proselytize, and only logical for the battle to get into full swing. As Christians, we need to be put on the full armor of God, so that we may be able to withstand and stand. We must fight without fighting against flesh (people), and fight without ceasing against spiritual forces, so that the casualties of warfare are not those who are under the bondage of the adversary (the devil), who used to have the power of death, but is now a lame duck (Hebrews 2:14). We must fight hate with love. We must fight by obeying and submitting to God for the battle and victory belongs to the Lord (1 Samuel 17:47; Proverbs 21:31) and our God shall fight for us (Nehemiah 4:20).
Points to ponder:
On one hand, as servants of Jesus, we need to do his work (serving him) and on the other hand, as soldiers of Jesus, we need to carry the mighty weapons of God to tear down strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:3-5; Nehemiah 4:17). We must Act to be in ACTive duty for the Lord so that when we face him face-to-face, he who sought to find faith in this world, would find our faith alive and not dead. Stand up for Christ Jesus and act by serving him as servant and soldier.
The first book after the gospels in the New Testament is appropriately named ‘Acts’ (of the followers of Jesus Christ). If one was to write your acts (not just your words/messages/preaching) for the Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, what would they write? There is a time for everything and we were made for such a time as this … this is the time to act!
Nehemiah 4:14-20 (KJV)
14 And I looked, and rose up, and said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, Be not ye afraid of them: remember the Lord, which is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons, and your daughters, your wives, and your houses.
15 And it came to pass, when our enemies heard that it was known unto us, and God had brought their counsel to nought, that we returned all of us to the wall, every one unto his work.
16 And it came to pass from that time forth, that the half of my servants wrought in the work, and the other half of them held both the spears, the shields, and the bows, and the habergeons; and the rulers were behind all the house of Judah.
17 They which builded on the wall, and they that bare burdens, with those that laded, every one with one of his hands wrought in the work, and with the other hand held a weapon.
18 For the builders, every one had his sword girded by his side, and so builded. And he that sounded the trumpet was by me.
19 And I said unto the nobles, and to the rulers, and to the rest of the people, The work is great and large, and we are separated upon the wall, one far from another.
20 In what place therefore ye hear the sound of the trumpet, resort ye thither unto us: our God shall fight for us.
James 1:17 (KJV)
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
1 John 4:3 (KJV)
3 And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world.
