October 30, 2019 –
“For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).
While there is only one Master Spiritual Goal—to walk with God—and two Master Spiritual Strategies—Love God and Love your neighbor—there are numerous Master Spiritual Doables to help the Christian put God’s Master Plan into action.
Master Spiritual Doables provide the tools for achieving the Master Spiritual Goal. They are the in-the-trenches, hand-to-hand combat. They answer the question: “What must I do to realize the future I desire?” The Philippian jailer summed up this concept when he asked Paul, “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30b).
Because you are doing the tasks He has assigned you, you will produce the results He desires. God does not want you to do things for Him. He wants to do things through you. As He works through you, God allows you to do things for others. In helping others, you demonstrate your love for your neighbor and affirm your love for God. The things you do for your neighbor are overshadowed by the motive. While humanity measures the results, God weighs the motive.
“Do not be deceived; God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh, shall from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit shall from the Spirit reap eternal life. And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary” (Galatians 6:7-9).
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). Ask yourself, “Is what I am doing right now going to help me walk with God?” If the answer is “no,” maybe you should change activities. The real question is not, “Is this activity appropriate for me—but does it complement my values and bring me closer to a walk with God?”
In the Ten Commandments, God gave Moses and the children of Israel His Ten Master Doables for obtaining a right relationship with Him and their neighbor. Some two thousand years later, in the Beatitudes, Jesus further amplified and explained the Master Doables.
After all these years, these doables are still the ultimate spiritual action steps. There is no question that the Master Spiritual Doables are not easily carried out and indeed can’t be successfully executed without God’s help. But committed Christians view them as a future achievement that requires continuous progress.
Next Week: God’s Master Doables as Defined in The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3-17)