The role of the believer

Most of us have a job doing something- it may be staying at home to raise a child, maybe caregiver of aging parents or maybe you have a job outside the home. Whatever the case is- you know what your duties are. Most of the time we know what others expect from us, we know what we have to do to get the job done. So what about our duty or role as Christians? There are many things in the Bible that help to guide us in the way that we are to live but what does this look like everyday? Its a very broad concept that can be difficult to define. So maybe your going down your list and check off prayer, bible study, loving your neighbor, tithing, helping the poor, using your gift, sharing the gospel, etc. these are all good things that we are commanded in scripture to do. The interesting thing is that there was a man who kept all the commandments but he still lacked something.
Jesus Counsels the Rich Young Ruler (Matthew 19:16-22)


16 Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”
17 So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”
18 He said to Him, “Which ones?”
Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’ 19 ‘Honor your father and your mother, and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ 20 The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”
21 Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”
22 But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.

In this case the man was willing to do almost anything for God but he still held onto his treasures. God wants everything. Jesus said; “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ Matthew 22:37 This man wasn't loving God with all his heart because he was unwilling to give up his stuff. Are you able to keep all the commands but Jesus doesn't have your heart? This man wasn't genuinely following Jesus because Jesus basically said- when you give this up, then come and follow me. Maybe for you this isn't the issue- maybe its something else. What is keeping you back? Like Joshua claiming the promise land- he was temporarily set back because of sin in the camp but when this was taken care of he continued to go onto victory. Reaching the finish line will be difficult without full surrender to God.  Whatever the case Jesus knows what your still holding onto. Ask him today what this is and how you can love him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.


Blessings.