April 23, 2014
Most of us, at least some time in our lives, have faced an identity crisis. Who am I really? What is my purpose? Why am I here? Here’s an answer that is both simple and profound:
“Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.” (1 Corinthians 4.1-2)
As followers of Christ, we are both servants and stewards. We serve a Master, and we are administrators of a message. In this dual role, it is of the utmost importance that we be trustworthy. We need to know the Man and the message, and be accountable. But, here’s the rub: it’s much too easy to be out of balance. We can make the experiential our focus: knowing Jesus. And, there’s certainly nothing wrong with that; it was Paul’s goal that he might “know Him and the power of His resurrection” (Philippians 3.10). Problem is, this can easily become little more than an emotional experience without a solid foundation.
The other extreme is a focus on being “stewards of the mysteries of God” to the exclusion of being a servant of Christ. The result is a sterile, intellectual knowledge, devoid of anything experiential. Thus, the need to be trustworthy in both areas.
The challenge before each of us today is this: how am I coming to better know and serve Christ, and what am I learning and sharing of “the mysteries of God”? It is within these two major realms that our responsibility lies. And, there are wonderful opportunities with both.
The real measure of our life is not salary earned, social status, or political affiliation. Although society will measure us by these standards, the true priority is to “let a man regard us in this manner”. The real measuring stick is how well we’ve served Christ, and how faithful we have been with God’s mysteries (message). At the end of the day, we do well to evaluate our activities according to those two questions: (1) How well did I serve Christ today? (2) How faithful was I with God’s message?
May you be abundantly blessed as you measure your life according to these important standards.
©Steve Taylor, 2014
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045
“Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy.” (1 Corinthians 4.1-2)
As followers of Christ, we are both servants and stewards. We serve a Master, and we are administrators of a message. In this dual role, it is of the utmost importance that we be trustworthy. We need to know the Man and the message, and be accountable. But, here’s the rub: it’s much too easy to be out of balance. We can make the experiential our focus: knowing Jesus. And, there’s certainly nothing wrong with that; it was Paul’s goal that he might “know Him and the power of His resurrection” (Philippians 3.10). Problem is, this can easily become little more than an emotional experience without a solid foundation.
The other extreme is a focus on being “stewards of the mysteries of God” to the exclusion of being a servant of Christ. The result is a sterile, intellectual knowledge, devoid of anything experiential. Thus, the need to be trustworthy in both areas.
The challenge before each of us today is this: how am I coming to better know and serve Christ, and what am I learning and sharing of “the mysteries of God”? It is within these two major realms that our responsibility lies. And, there are wonderful opportunities with both.
The real measure of our life is not salary earned, social status, or political affiliation. Although society will measure us by these standards, the true priority is to “let a man regard us in this manner”. The real measuring stick is how well we’ve served Christ, and how faithful we have been with God’s mysteries (message). At the end of the day, we do well to evaluate our activities according to those two questions: (1) How well did I serve Christ today? (2) How faithful was I with God’s message?
May you be abundantly blessed as you measure your life according to these important standards.
©Steve Taylor, 2014
Be sure to also visit http://thetruthrevolution.wordpress.com/
Amazon ebook & print devotional -http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQ1Q9GW
paperback print copy of book — https://www.createspace.com/4500045
posted by steve @ 9:09 AM
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