Don’t Just Sit There

Even if you ‘re on the right track, you’ll get run over if you just sit there. Will Rogers

 

I have heard this quoted but looked at it in a new light when relating it to Christianity. I can’t tell you how many times I have thought I’m just sitting here – I need to do something!

The right track of Christianity for some people is the road of salvation. As a matter of fact, for some it’s the only road.  They make a profession of faith in Jesus Christ as their Savior and they think, “Okay, I’m in.  I’ll go to heaven so I don’t need to do another thing.” James would not approve. He says don’t just listen to the Word of God but do what it says. (James 1:22)

Now, just for the record I believe that salvation is the right track but it is certainly not the whole trip. After all, a track is just a road, not a journey.  We need to “confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead so we can be saved” (Romans 10:9). It’s just sitting there that’s the problem.

God makes it clear in His Word that we are to love one another, He tells us that at least sixteen times in the New Testament. We demonstrate our love for God by loving His people. We think of love as an emotion but love is action. God tells us to serve one another, to admonish one another, and to encourage one another, these are acts of love. Those things cover a lot of different ways to love.

Love can only be seen or understood as we obey His commands to show that love.

But, that’s not all. James also says “be quick to hear and slow to speak and slow to anger, for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness that God requires.” We’re also told to “bridle the tongue,” and “visit orphans and widows in their affliction” and “to keep oneself unstained from the world.” There are many things that Jesus commands of those who claim to belong to Him.

In the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25 He teaches that it is the one who takes what He gives them and uses it to further the Kingdom of God that receives the blessings in this life.  We cannot truly love the Lord and just sit here doing nothing. He wants us to grow His kingdom, to spread the Word about who He is and what He has done for us so others will hear and come to faith.

When we fail to obey these commands, we may not literally get run over but neither will we experience the life of abundant blessing that is promised to the child of God that serves Him wholeheartedly.

In James 2:17  he says, “So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

Are you and I on the right track but just sitting there or are we still dead in our sin, failing to serve the Lord or others?

Or, like me, do you sometimes wonder what work you should be doing? Is it as simple as asking God,” Who do I need to love, serve, or encourage today?” “Is there an orphan or a widow who could use some help or some love”?  Are you and I willing to die to our own desires and put others first?

What work for Him is God calling us to do? We can’t just sit there, if we have faith, we have to do something.