The To-Do List
As Christians, we can see there are so many scriptures telling us that we have things to do. Jesus said that if we love Him, we will obey His commands. (Jn. 15) In the same chapter, He makes it clear that obedience will bring abundant joy to us. In John 15:4 we are told to remain in Him. If we remain in Him, He will fill us with His strength so that we are able to do what He tells us to do.
Tit. 3:8 tells us to devote ourselves to prayer. Col. 4:2,5 also mentions praying, as well as telling us to be watchful and thankful, and to be wise in the way we act toward outsiders, making the most of all opportunities. Verse 6 tells us to let our conversations be full of grace. There are times when we just don't know how to answer someone. Being full of grace will help in those times.
Eph. 4:2 tells us to live a life worthy of the calling we have received. It goes on to mention that we need to be humble (submissive, unassuming, simple) and gentle, bearing with one another. Jas. 4:10 and I Pet. 5:6 mention humbling ourselves before the Lord.
I Cor. 15:5 tells us to give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord. For many of us, that "work" is taking care of our families. We need to remember that as we do it for them, we are doing it for Christ.
We are called to love our enemies in Mt. 5:44. In Rom. 12:14 we are told to bless those who persecute us. This can be very hard, especially when our enemies are sometimes in our own extended family. The hurt from those betrayals and persecutions can go so deeply into our spirit.
In II Tim. 2:22 we are told to flee the evil desires of youth and to pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace. II Cor. 7:1 tells us to purify ourselves from all that contaminates our body and spirit. We are to clothe ourselves with the Lord Jesus, (Rom. 13:14) and live a life worthy of our calling. (Eph. 4:1) We are to live as children of light and to find out what pleases our Lord. (Eph. 5:8, 10)
We are to be made new in the attitudes of our minds, as well as getting rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, brawling, slander, and malice. Instead, be kind, compassionate, and forgiving. (Eph. 4:23-32)
Rom. 12 could keep us busy every day, just by itself! It tells us to offer our bodies as living sacrifices, to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, hate what is evil, cling to what is good. Keep our spiritual fervor (enthusiasm, passion). Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. We are told to share with God's people who are in need, and to be hospitable. Rejoice with those who are rejoicing and mourn with those who are mourning. We are to live in harmony with others.
We are to rejoice in the Lord and let our gentleness be evident to those around us. (Phil. 4:4-5) Col. 3 tells us to set our minds on things above. Eph. 6:10-11 tells us to be strong in the Lord and to put on His armor so that we can take our stand against the devil's schemes. Since we have seen here that we have much to do, I think it is feasible to assume that Satan doesn't want us to get work on this "to-do list." He will use anything he can to distract us. It may be phone calls, a lack of sleep, moodiness, hormones, fighting children, financial woes, illness, our own busyness, or even our own selfishness. That is why it is so important to daily put on the armor of God.
I heard a sermon many years ago by a man who would physically go through the motions of putting on each piece of armor. Going through the motions, saying the name of armor, and stating what it was for was a good way for him to remember that the battle was not his, but God's. So many times we struggle in our own strength. Goliath tried that too, and it got him struck down by a little shepherd boy who knew where to go for the right kind of armor. As we daily work on our "to-do list," may we also declare to our enemy that we come against him in the Name of the Lord Almighty. And may God Almighty go before us, lighting our path and giving us victory after victory.
© 2003, Stacy R. Miller |
