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The New Testament church created a stir wherever it went. We must admit that all of us need to be stirred up out of our lethargy and indifference toward sin and wickedness. It is also true that leaders of the church should motivate, stir, and encourage the members on to greater usefulness in the kingdom. Paul reminds the Corinthians that their zeal had stirred others to good works: “for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the people of Macedonia, saying that Achaia has been ready since last year. And your zeal has stirred up most of them” (2 Corinthians 9:2).

But it is neither reasonable nor right to blame our own laziness and lack of zeal on other people. Each Christian has the personal responsibility to stir up himself to a greater zeal and enthusiasm toward saving the lost and in building up the local church:

“Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works” (Titus 2:13-14).

This means that it will be impossible to stir up others, (either in or out of the church) until we first are stirred up ourselves.

Stirred Up to Seek the Lost

First and foremost, we must stir up ourselves concerning the lost. When Paul saw that the city of Athens was wholly given over to idolatry, his spirit was stirred within him (Acts 17:16-17). All of the false religion that is in our world should stir up our spirit to make known the pure and undefiled religion of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Stirred Up to Pure Worship

We must stir up ourselves concerning the purity of our worship to God. Jesus was eaten up with zeal when he saw all the Jews profaning his father’s house (John 2:17; Matthew 21:12-13).

Stirred Up to Use Our Gifts

We must stir up ourselves concerning our gifts both natural and acquired. Paul commanded Timothy to stir up the gift that was in him by the laying on of Paul’s hands (2 Timothy 1:6).

Stirred Up to Remember God’s Word

Also we must stir up ourselves in our minds by remembering the word of God as we have been admonished by the apostle Peter (2 Peter 1:13; 3:1).

Copyright © 2015 Shelby G. Floyd All Rights Reserved

Shelby G. Floyd
Heartland Church of Christ
1693 West Main Street
Greenwood, Indiana 46142