I have learned that as a preacher, it is not my job to be a policeman. My job, as has been the job of every messenger of God in the past, is to simply preach the truth. It is then up to every individual to take what is said, study it for themselves and apply it to their lives. Although I understand my role in God’s kingdom, there are times that I do get discouraged. Like when I study with a non-Christian – why don’t they get it like I did? Why are they unwilling to see the truth that there is only one church into which everyone must be added to be saved? Why are relatives, friends, and neighbors so hard to talk to about the Bible? And why are my brethren not as willing to serve the Lord as I have been? As long as I have been a Christian, I have been unable to answer that one. I have always been willing to try anything. I’m certainly not the best singer, but I’m willing to lead the congregation in spiritual songs. I don’t see myself as the best Bible class teacher or preacher of the gospel, but I’m willing to do my part in teaching the truth and spreading the good news. As the apostle Paul said, “I CAN do ALL things, through Christ that strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13).

I’m often told of how it used to be in the church, when every member knew the Scriptures and were not afraid to tell someone that the church of Christ was the only church approved by God. Or when weekly training classes were used to encourage men and boys to learn their respective roles in the church. Today we are lucky to get men to attend services, let alone be willing to attend classes that will train them to become better husbands, fathers and servants of God. Don’t get me wrong, most men in congregations do take part in public prayers and at the table and I’m truly glad for that. But we are still a ways away from what God would have us be.

Think of the parable of our Lord in Matthew 13:44-46. One of the kingdom parables that likens the kingdom of God (the church of Christ) to a hidden treasure and a priceless pearl. “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man, seeking goodly pearls: who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” Jesus is showing us that the kingdom should be so valuable to us that we are willing to give up everything in order to obtain it. I’ve had people, both Christian and non, tell  me that you can be too religious. Allowing my service to God to take up too much of my time. People say that God does not expect us to spend more than Sunday’s in service to Him. Yet the Bible (God’s own Word’s) tells a different story. The apostle Paul exhorted the Christians at Colossae to; "set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye died, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory” (Col. 3:2-4). If that isn’t clear, then I don’t know what is. If you will re-read that careful you will find that Paul stresses a fact. WHEN you make Christ your life, THEN you will appear with Him in glory. Not if, or once in a while, but WHEN you make Christianity a daily thing. Why should it be our goal to make Christ our “life?” It wouldn’t be because He bought us with the price of His own life (1 Cor. 6:20; 7:23). It couldn’t be because He took away the sting of the grave and offered us eternal life (1 Cor. 15:54; 1 Jn. 3:14-16). And who cares that Jesus offers to all the opportunity to become an heir of the hope of eternal life (Titus 3:7; 1 Pet. 3:7). None of these things would make me do something I didn’t want to do, or even try.

But the fact of the matter is that they should. What should move us to making Christ our very life, is our LOVE for God. Remember the greatest commandment of all? “Love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, and ALL your soul, and ALL your mind and ALL your strength” (Mk. 12:30). John said, “whoso keepeth His Word, in him verily is the love of God perfected….” (1 Jn. 2:5).  The very gift of God’s grace through His Son, should cause every one of us to step up to the plate and say “here am I, send me!” (Isa. 6:8). His death on the cross for my sins and yours, should cause us to be on time to Bible classes, and worship, and to want to attend every service, every meeting, etc. The threat of that hope of life everlasting should concern us when we turn down an opportunity to lead singing, teach a class, give a devotional lesson, grow up to become qualified to be an elder or deacon, make announcements, visit the sick, discipline the erring, etc., etc. Brethren  have a lot of growing to do.