In my experience, most professing American Christians are more like the Dead Sea than Lake Superior—inflow without outflow. The Dead Sea’s primary tributary, the Jordan River, flows into it. But it has no outlet.
By contrast, more than 200 rivers feed Lake Superior. It drains into Lake Huron by the St. Mary’s River and the Soo Locks.2
Most professing Christians are superficially connected to Jesus and their churches. They aren’t serving others using their spiritual gifts (1 Peter 4:11). Their connection to Jesus is more about what they can get than give. They aren’t true disciples who bear much fruit (John 15:8).
They misunderstand the Christian life. They don’t realize they’re blessed to be a blessing. “Our people must learn to do good by meeting the urgent needs of others; then they will not be unproductive” (Titus 3:14 NLT).
Jesus served them through His sacrificial death (Mark 10:45) so they would not live for themselves but for Him (2 Corinthians 5:15). He died for them so they would be completely committed and devoted to good deeds (Titus 2:14, 3:8). So, what do true disciples do?
They do the good things God called them to do and planned for them to do long ago (Ephesians 2:10, 1 Peter 2:21). God and His word empower them to accomplish all the good things their faith motivates them to do (2 Thessalonians 1:11, 2 Timothy 3:17).
About four thousand years ago, “The Lord had said to Abram, ‘Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others’” (Genesis 12:1–2 NLT).
“And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed—all because you have obeyed me” (Genesis 22:18 NLT). Jesus is the promised blessing to all nations of the earth.
Living for Jesus means they love God and others (Matthew 22:37–39). They let their light shine and make themselves attractive by doing good as a way of life so everyone will praise their heavenly Father (Matthew 5:16, 1 Timothy 2:10).
They prove they are Jesus’ followers and demonstrate their faith by the good things they keep on doing (Acts 26:20, Romans 2:7, James 2:18, 3 John 1:11). They experience glory, honor, and peace from God as a result (Romans 2:10 NLT).
They aren’t concerned for their good but for the good of others (1 Corinthians 10:24). They turn away from and conquer evil by doing good (Romans 12:21, 1 Peter 3:11).
They do good to everyone, especially to other believers (Galatians 6:10, 1 Thessalonians 5:15). They use their money to do good and share with those in need (1 Timothy 6:18, Titus 3:16). They don’t get tired of it (2 Thessalonians 3:13). They know God blesses them to be a blessing to others. That blessing lies ahead if they don’t quit (Galatians 6:9). #freechristiandiscipleshipresources #freeevangelismresources #freechristianleadershipresources
See free spiritual growth resources for Christians at https://www.christiangrowthresources.com
God has equipped and empowered me to write His Power for Your Weakness—260 Steps Toward Spiritual Strength. It’s a free devotional discipleship resource. Pastors have used it in Malawi, Mozambique, and Zambia to lead more than 2,400 people to faith in Christ and teach the basics of Christianity to 2,994 people. I invite you to check it out. https://www.christiangrowthresources.com/his-power-for-your-weakness
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