By

Shelby G. Floyd

There is plenty of work in the congregation for each one of us to do if we will do it. Solomon sagely advises people to work while we can: “Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom” (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Life is short and we only live here once. Whatever we can accomplish for the Lord must be done now. We cannot come back and take care of lost opportunities.

Shortly after Jesus began his earthly ministry, there were disciples who immediately began reaching out to their family, friends and fellow-men. For example, Philip became involved in personally evangelizing others. “Philip, like Andrew and Peter, was from the town of Bethsaida. Philip found Nathanael and told him, ‘We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph’” (John 1:44-45).

Like Philip, there are many who will come and worship with us if we will invite them. Then they will have an opportunity to “come and see” what a wonderful fellowship we have and how uplifting it is to worship the Almighty in spirit and truth (John. 4:24).

Even Jesus realized how short his life was to be on the earth and exhorted his followers to work for today because the night is coming: “As long as it is day, we must do the work of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work. While I am in the world, I am the light of the world” (John 9:4-5). Day equals life while night represents death.

We must influence our friends, family and neighbors for Christ with zeal and enthusiasm. The word “enthusiasm” literally means “God in us!” People can read our “body language” and instantly know whether we are 100 percent for Christ and the church. Let us know that all the work and sacrifices we make for the Lord are not in vain: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58, NKJV).

Let us work for the Lord and see the happy results in our lives and the lives of others.

© 2016 Shelby G. Floyd, All Rights Reserved

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