Faith by Works; Serving Christ/End-times

Thank you for taking a look †

On the job misery ends when your working for the Lord stemming from love in the heart and then mind (also keeping you doing right no matter what man does), not man. We don't serve or work for man first. we work and serve Christ no matter what occupation we have. This also keeps us from the "rat-race" or chasing the carrot on the stick where the ends never justifies the means in life. That is the way of the worlds "works." We gain things in life finding no purpose, satisfaction, thus contentment. "Life in the fast lane."

Let's take a look at Christ' words concerning this, 

(Mark 8:36-37) "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?

There is no end to wanting in the lusts of the flesh. This is exactly what Satan tempted Christ with. To gain the whole world in mind. Make people feel like they are on top of the world. Kings and Queens in their own mind. Remember that is what the Woman Babylon says after she is married to the King of Babylon Satan. She says, "she sits as a queen." God is not watching. I'm on top of the World she thinks, which is why she is over the heads of the people.

(Revelation 18:7) "How much she hath glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow (she is married to the King of Babylon--satan), and shall see no sorrow."

But as in I Thessalonians 5 and many other places sudden destruction and sorrow comes upon her. In II Thessalonians 2:3 they are handed over to Satan (as son of perdition there, man of sin) claiming to be Christ/God because of the Apostasia (from the Greek). That actually means a defection/departure from faith on the drop of a dime (forsaking) (not a falling away in the sense of gradually). From the root word Apostasion to divorce/a bill of divorcement. Then they marry satan as the King of Babylon. Though, God does divorce them because of continued unfaithfulness it does not become "official" until they take worship Satan and take the mark of the beast. Being convinced in their minds that satan is Christ/God.

Back to Mark 8:37,

37Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Really? going to bow down to a piece of paper? Say that rules one's life? Always chasing and proud of it? This is why Christ would go on to say about shame from His words. The Lord is aware when someone stops the reckless ambition that some will have less in life, that is nothing to be ashamed of. No, as we see the shame is in bowing down and worshiping a piece of paper. No different than the person chasing that high on drugs. But, there you have the double chase which is why they are really exhausted. They have to chase the money, then the drug.

A little different point in angle there and here touching on it below. But overall still dealing with who we're serving day in, day out. We do not serve man, nor do we serve self being self-serving. Serving Christ ought to be pleasing to one's self without getting prideful (arrogant) about it.

For both it is not, "once an addict always and addict." We can overcome that bondage beginning at the cross, and look to Christ for help in temptation. Drawing from what the suffering in the penalty price paid for you. Looking at what He was tempted with for you to overcome (Hebrews 2:14-18). Matter of fact we are to consider the temptation pure joy. Because at that moment we are learning. Overall, coming to be a stronger and unshakeable, immovable force through faith on account of being patient. A force to be reckon with standing for the Lord against satan. Standing on that foundation THE ROCK (immovable).

Christ showed the way (John 14:6). And in showing the way you should notice here that no other religion and/or man's made up philosophy has even come close to do anything for you and to this peace of mind taught by Christ. Give up gaining the world and the weight of the world is off your shoulders (I Corinthians 2:6-16).

Summing it up, who will stand up say I will teach Jesus? Did they have the Holy Spirit? Who will teach the Holy Spirit the path?

(I Corinthians 2:16) "For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ."

By following our own ways we are saying exactly that, "We can teach Jesus a thing or two", or a thousand things!

Back to our employment in mind and serving Christ:

From James 2 (and many other places) this is the very definition of works: To that job (employment, occupation) from the Lord to which they are employed. That is freedom serving the Lord, and not serving people first. Them times when people could care less, your efforts are not appreciated, they don't even notice. They use you, spitefully use you. The Lord wants to use you more all for our own good.

Therefore, from the least of seemingly importance jobs to man to the most important is ALL important to the Lord. That is how the body of Christ should work.

This is not a well I did a couple works/deeds for the day because of my faith (that is self-justification). No, this is what Christians live by naturally instilled at grace (the work on the cross) through faith (our response to that work on the cross). This is the condition of righteousness. Righteousness = the condition acceptable to God, which is belief through Christ, then doing right. Which will be your works, and our reward is in Heaven for doing so. Some carrot on a stick cannot come close. Though, the carrot helps eye sight, and getting into God's Word gives eyes to see, and ears to hear.

Myself, I always look to people and consider those who have no reason to have faith at all, in that they could easily still being blaming God such as physical ailments, things done to them where they don't walk around blaming people for what they do (their sin). I see them as very strong people. Strong minds. Strong will and for the Lord.

Finally, (Luke 12:37) "Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching: verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them."

(Being a watchmen for the Lord is serving Christ, and standing for Christ. Staying on that housetop on watch. In this sense on security detail. Warning, showing, teaching others about the thief coming. Christ uses the term thief because those who are not on watch until Christ comes back after the tribulation worship satan claiming to be Christ/God. Then Christ' coming on the day of the Lord comes unexpectedly to them. Naturally so, they have no reason to be on watch anymore if Satan is Christ/God to them).

Christ served us on the cross, we serve Him until He comes back, then He serves us again. "Well done my good and faithful servant."

Man may not be proud of your efforts on the job, but the Lord is and that is all that matters. The Lord and you make a majority.

Amen †