FRIDAY January 31, 2020
Grumbling and Complaining
Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!
James 5:9
Interestingly, James focused on how we are to live for Christ. The victorious Christian lives their life in the demonstration and power of the Holy Spirit. Christians need to grow and come to full maturity. As believers become equipped for ministry, they can look forward to the coming of the Lord:
And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-13).
I believe the best way Christians can become mature is when they are continuously active in ministry––they flourish. This is when the sheep beget the sheep––they evangelize––and the Church grows. It seems when Christians stop ministry, they begin to grow comfortable and complacent. When there is no more growth, they digress and become carnal––fleshly. As a result, Christians begin to grumble and complain against other believers.
Christians are to live holy lives, but it is very hard to live a holy life in such an ungodly world. Yet we can do it through Him: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13). That is why it is important to keep busy until Jesus comes. Jesus said in a parable: “Occupy till I come” (Luke 19:13KJV). As you remain in the perfect will of God, it is important to keep busy doing the Lord’s work.
As you serve the Lord, are you continuously looking for the blessed hope of the coming of Christ?
…looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ . . . .
~Titus 2:13~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!