Put in Work

Luke 19:12-27 ESV
He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return. Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’ But his citizens hated him and sent a delegation after him, saying, ‘We do not want this man to reign over us.’ When he returned, having received the kingdom, he ordered these servants to whom he had given the money to be called to him, that he might know what they had gained by doing business. The first came before him, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made ten minas more.’ And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant! Because you have been faithful in a very little, you shall have authority over ten cities.’ And the second came, saying, ‘Lord, your mina has made five minas.’ And he said to him, ‘And you are to be over five cities.’ Then another came, saying, ‘Lord, here is your mina, which I kept laid away in a handkerchief; for I was afraid of you, because you are a severe man. You take what you did not deposit, and reap what you did not sow.’ He said to him, ‘I will condemn you with your own words, you wicked servant! You knew that I was a severe man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow? Why then did you not put my money in the bank, and at my coming I might have collected it with interest?’ And he said to those who stood by, ‘Take the mina from him, and give it to the one who has the ten minas.’ And they said to him, ‘Lord, he has ten minas!’ ‘I tell you that to everyone who has, more will be given, but from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away. But as for these enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, bring them here and slaughter them before me.’”

PERSONAL COMMENTARY
——————————————–

Yes, we who are called, we who are His, we who have received this blessing of salvation – we are not meant to hide it under a handkerchief, we are meant to share it and grow it.

If we believe that all are condemned without Christ, then do we not love one another enough to help others find their salvation?

Or do we just say that we believe, but we don’t truly believe in our hearts the Word of God is true? Are we instead picking and choosing which parts we think are right, relying on ourselves to build up a new religion of self that meets our own WANTS – but that in return leaves us lacking of our NEEDS which is truth and guidance.

Am I hiding in my faith quietly and without loving service to others when I should be rejoicing for my own salvation and crying out for the salvation of the lost? Am I putting in work for the Lord as a good and faithful servant, or am I so misunderstanding of my Lord’s love for me that I am expecting His wrath, so I cower in fear?

We do not have to face His wrath, us children of the one and only most high God. So I encourage you, friend. Draw near to Him, know that you are His, and receive this blessing of grace, and share it and grow it. Don’t hide it.

Be the change in the world that you want to see. Be the love and mercy and forgiveness towards others that we all need. Be the bearer of truth and the encouragement that all of us redeemed children of God need guiding or lives.
Do not hate the man of flesh, but detest the sin, the evil power that has him entangled and trapped on a close that leads to passion and destruction. Remember when you were trapped as well, and lovingly and gently reach out to help your fellow man.

Let’s rid our own lives from evil. Let’s all resist this temptation and watch the evil flee from us. But this is because we have the power of the Holy Spirit in us, so we should not forget that we were once imprisoned and a slave to this sin. So we have no reason to consider ourselves worthy of any less punishment or judgement than the poor sinner on front of us. Because we are not yet perfected either. In fact, it is our hope that God will show them the same mercy and grace that He has shown us. Because He is a just and merciful Good, and if He offers me grace and softens my heart to hear this truth, don’t I hope that He will touch so many others in the same manner?

So if this is my hope, and I believe that He lives in me, don’t I trust that He can teach them through me in one way or another? Don’t I believe that when I step out in faith to seek and honor Him that He will not forsake me? Isn’t myseeking Him the expression of that attitude of faith? So let me be equipped, let me be used, and let me stay busy for the Lord, even as I patiently await His return.