“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:” (Romans 5:1)
You will not find many people who agree with this verse and those like it, I doubt there ever has been such a time that people did. Perhaps in the generation that were alive at the time of Christ and for a few short years after, but we are creatures of sight, and we have a need to add to whatever it is we follow. We have a need to be recognized.
If you indeed have been saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, you feel a need, but not towards your salvation, for you understand our opening verse full well, that need to serve, to see the Almighty glorified is the Holy Spirit indwelling you.
“Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.” (John 16:13)
We do the works we do solely for this reason, we understand Colossians 3:23, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;”
We realize the love that has been revealed to us, the price that was paid for us, and in the works we perform we search for and will accept no accolades for ourself, the glory always goes to God. The more we die to self, the more the Holy Spirit can use us, for He will not force His desires upon us, we have free will to choose to serve or not.
All do who have been born-again, but not all do to the extent that they could, not all of self is dead yet. And so, as such, those, though they be saved by grace, will either become stagnant, resting on the path when they should be moving forward, or take upon themselves crosses they were not meant to bear. They perform works that have no eternal value.
“Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus.” (Rev. 14:12)
“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.” (Psalm 46:10)
There are some who adhere to these and other verses similar to them that cobwebs begin to attach to, they wait, and wait, and wait. I do not believe it is because they cannot discern the prompting of the Holy Spirit, but because they do not like to accept what they hear.
“Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.” (Psalm 121:4)
Others have little patience and feel a need to be continuously working for the Lord, seeking out tasks to perform when the one that has been placed on them has yet to be fully accomplished. There is little or no fruit in these extra-curricular deeds, and if left unchecked, they may begin to be a way for them to “pay back,” if you will, that which was a free gift.
It is a fine line here my friends, overly patient can lead to sloth, impatience can lead to pride, neither one is the path we are to be on.
If you know for a fact that what you are doing is what you have been called to do, then concentrate on that task, do not seek to carry a burden that was not meant for you, you may, in some respect, be robbing another brother or sister in Christ of a blessing. If you cannot hear the Holy Spirit, listen, stop everything you are doing, and spend your time in prayer, He will answer.
There are no unnecessary members of the body of Christ, all serve a purpose, those who understand their place do it best, and always for His glory.
You can only occupy one room in your house at a time, but those other rooms should always be prepared. Study to show yourself approved, speak to the Lord about your desires to serve Him well, He will answer, He always does.
“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” (Phil. 4:6)
