Things to Do

Things to Do

by David Brenneman 

"Let’s not become discouraged in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not become weary." Galatians 6:9.

"Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world." James 1:27.

I find myself more and more trying not to waste my time. If going from one place to another in my house, if I can and it needs done, I try to do more to make fewer trips. Working smarter not harder. 

The struggle is real. 

Our enemy does prowl around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. Some days it feels like my head is in his mouth. Some days I feel the sting of his claws. Some days it feels like he's sitting on me. 

The effects of Spiritual Warfare are real.

The Bible, the very Word of God, says that the effects are real, so why do so many professing Christians deny such things?

If these truths of the reality of life in Christ weren't as solid, as valid, as real as they are...why have it enshrined in Ephesians 6 concerning Spiritual Armor?

We do ourselves much harm as well when we run from battles that it was God's Will for us to engage in. 

When we quit on God in such times we give ground, more often than not, to the enemies of God. We will never know nor see the victory that could have been had we been more steadfast, more resilient, had been at the very least standing firm. 

I, at times, have been one who turned from the battle. Have seen others do it as well.  

The battle belongs to the Lord, according to His Word. At many times I am like that servant of Elisha who needed his eyes opened to see that those who were with them were more than those who were against them. 2 Kings 6:17.

We sometimes are brought back to that battle because it's still God's plan to include us in the victory to come. We won't get off the hook. 

What can be a very bad thing is people falling away from the battle only to start doing "things for God" that while may have merit, were not for them to be doing. Satan leaves them alone, even if he loses some ground, because the individual would do him more harm had they stayed the course, and had fought the good fight as Paul said. 

It's always possible to be doing things for God that aren't for you to be doing.  

Personally, and this isn't a boast, I CAN do a great many things. My obedience to my Savior is to be found doing what it is He has in mind for me to be doing. I have been given many talents and abilities. Experience has taught me a lot. Just because I am able does not follow that I automatically should.  

In becoming His Disciples, Jesus started out with basic things. The more He added to their teaching, the less they did of their own will. Regardless of how capable they were in many various things.  

Life is supposed to be less of us, more of Jesus for the Believer. 

People often are, and again I have been there done that, hurt and justify their exit from the battle.

We are indeed to be in the world but not of the world. Standing firm. 

Ephesians 6:11 "Put on the armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil."

1 Corinthians 16:13 "Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong."

‭1 Peter 1:13 "Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

‭Philippians 1:21-30 "For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again. Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents—which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. For to you it has been granted for Christ’s sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me."

‭Ephesians 4:4, 6-7 "There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift."

See it? There's much we we are to learn in Christ, but the field of battle is the only place we're going to learn it. It's not a contradictory thing that we are to suit up in the whole armor of God while the battle belongs to the Lord.  

Look to the Old Testament. Some of their battles, they were to be ready for battle while being instructed specifically by the Lord Jesus to do nothing but watch Him fight.  

You may not be called to fight, but may merely be called to stand in the gap. Armor on, just to stand in the way of the schemes of the devil. Your strength in the faith may be a catalyst to encourage another who IS supposed to press on ahead. 

Oh my Dear Reader, you who are in Christ DO have God given purposes under Heaven. You DO have things to do that are indeed for you to be doing. Not being busy bodies looking busy without doing what we are called to be doing.  

Pray about your activities in your life. Ask for help in knowing what needs to go in order to be the best you can be in what it is that God's got for you to be doing.

All NASB 1995 and NASB Scripture Excerpts used by permission. (C) Lockman Foundation.