Enthusiastic

Text: 1 Corinthians 15:56-58

Theme: Enthusiasm for His work should spring from our victory through His Son.

Key verses: “But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ. So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless” (v. 57-58).

What I believe God said to me: You’re sneaky, aren’t you? You think you can sneak around and indulge in your little pet sins and then come in here and act like nothing is wrong. But instead, everything is wrong. How do you expect me to speak to you through my Holy Spirit if you have made Him unwelcome in your heart and mind? Repent and be made whole. Allow me to restore to you the joy of your salvation. Through simple and demanded obedience, you can return to me and sup with me and I with you in perfect fellowship and communion. Dwayne, you have victory over sin and death. No one can ever again make you sin. You won’t die in your sins because of my Son’s blood applied to your life. You are forgiven and free, but you have to take advantage of that forgiveness and freedom. You have to walk in righteousness and holiness. I gifted you with joy unspeakable that is full of glory. Since you were a child, you have shared that joy with countless thousands in many parts of the world. As you age, you can maintain that same child-like joy and wonder. But again, that is up to you. You must die to yourself every day and allow my Spirit to rule and flow through you. Your greatest and most impactful work is still ahead for you. Don’t mess it up, lest after you have preached to others, you yourself become a castaway.

What I said to God: Well, this certainly isn’t how I expected today to play out. I honestly and naively thought I could waltz in here and meet with You for a few minutes, get my QT done, and then move on through my benignly routine day. But You just want let me get away with such stupidity and aloofness. You have again confronted me about my sin. Help me today to strip off every weight that slows me down, especially the sin that so easily trips me up. Help me run with endurance the race You have set before me. I confess and embrace that I can only do this by keeping my eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.