Today we continue our series entitled, “Grace and Truth” by continuing to look at by continuing to look at The Law given under Moses vs. the Grace provided by Jesus. Our main scriptures are John 1:14 & 17. Let’s look at them again.
(John 1:14 New International Version)
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.
(John 1:17 New International Version)
For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.
In this series we studied Galatians 3, 4, and 5. We finally got to the fruit of the Holy Spirit. We are going through all the fruit of the Spirit. Yesterday we looked at “a life full of virtue”. Other translations simply list this as “goodness”. I feel led to go back to that again today. So let’s read Galatians 5:22,23, and we will also read the scriptures we deal with yesterday. We will read all the scriptures and then get into the points we can glean from them.
(Galatians 5:22,23 The Passion Translation)
But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit within you is divine love in all its varied expressions:
joy that overflows,
peace that subdues,
patience that endures,
kindness in action,
a life full of virtue,
faith that prevails,
gentleness of heart, and
strength of spirit.
Never set the law above these qualities, for they are meant to be limitless.
(Eph 2:10 Easy to Read Version)
God has made us what we are. In Christ Jesus, God made us new people so that we would spend our lives doing the good things he had already planned for us to do.
(Eph 2:10 The Passion Translation)
We have become his poetry, a re-created people that will fulfill the destiny he has given each of us, for we are joined to Jesus, the Anointed One. Even before we were born, God planned in advance our destiny and the good works we would do to fulfill it!
(Matthew 5:16 New International Version)
In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
(Matthew 5:16 Easy to Read Version)
In the same way, you should be a light for other people. Live so that they will see the good things you do and praise your Father in heaven.
So what does this mean for you today? A few things.
1. You are not a mistake. You were born for God’s divine purpose. Your purpose is connected to the impact God wants to make through you on this planet. This means you have WORK to do. God did not just save you just so you can go to heaven someday. If all God wanted for you was heaven, you would be dead. You are still breathing because God is not through with you in this world. You job is to FIND, FOLLOW and FINISH your divine assignment BEFORE you die. You don’t have any excuses. God gave you His Word, His Spirit, and His grace. You have everything you need to be used of God to make the impact you were born to make! Now get out there and get after it!
2. If you are Born-Again you must realize that God saved you for your purpose. You were not saved to sit. You were saved to serve. Part of your “service” includes a four-letter word. This word is WORK! God wants you to be led of His Spirit and governed by His Word so you can actually do the WORK you were born to do. This is how God is seen and glorified in this world.
3. All WORK is honorable and if your WORK if connected to your purpose, it is divine. You are anointed to do it. It may not have anything to do with church, and that’s okay. For too long some in the church have created a climate where fivefold ministry gifts (Apostles, Prophets, Pastors, Evangelists and Teachers) are seen as the “anointed ones,” whereas most others are not. The emphasis has been on “ministering” in the choir, on the praise team, as an usher, in the parking lot, and etc. Doing your part at church is fine. It is PART of what you are called to do. But we should never make anyone feel like a second-class Christian. If you are called to business, you have the grace to do it. God’s anointing is on you to make deals. The Holy Spirit will lead you as you do what you do. The same goes for being a doctor, lawyer, barber, beautician, teacher, mechanic, and etc. Whatever you are called to do, whatever your WORK is, do it with all your might. Do it as unto the Lord. Do it with a spirit of excellence. Do it in a way that God will be seen and glorified. And don’t take on any condemnation for NOT being called to preach or Pastor. You can’t control what you were called to do. But you can control the attitude in which you do it. So embrace your assignment, do all you do to glorify God, and let the world see Jesus in you as you WORK!
4. The last point I will make today is about money. It takes money to finance ministry. It takes money to fund Kingdom projects all over the world. I am currently in Las Vegas at a business conference. Yesterday I learned of an organization that has raised $43B to help eradicate extreme poverty around the world. They have a goal to eradicate it globally by 2030. I can see God operating through that organization.
God is strategic. He can use you as a conduit of Kingdom finance. He can raise you up and give you favor with people who are in a position to fund His projects. God will use His children to move the wealth of the wicked over to His Kingdom. This is spiritual. You may be someone who can’t sing, who is not called to preach, and who does not see themselves as a “minister” in the church (even though we are all ministers, because that word simply means servant). But if God uses you to start or run a business and you generate wealth in order to fund Kingdom projects, you are no less anointed than your Pastor. You are doing the WORK God has called you to do and God is pleased with you. So embrace your WORK, whatever it is, and never allow anyone or anything to cause you to feel any less important than anyone else. God is being glorified in what you do. God can be seen in your WORK!
Declaration of Faith:
Father, I was born for such a time as this. I was born with a purpose and for Your purpose. I spent a portion of my life wandering aimlessly through life. Now that I am Born-Again, those days are over. I am led of Your Spirit every day. The Holy Spirit makes it clear that I was not saved to be lazy. I am saved to WORK and WORK I shall! I will spend the remainder of my days doing the WORK You called me to. I am anointed for my WORK. I am content with my assignment. I am not jealous of anyone. They have their calling, I have mine. I am at peace with it, I do it every day, and I do it with a smile on my face. You are seen and glorified in my WORK. So I am ready to get to WORK today! I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word. Apply it and prosper!
