Together # 42
A Together of Spiritual Growth
A Together of Spiritual Growth
See That Each One Does His or Her Part
copyright by Dick Wulf, 2018
Exhort and involve others for their part of the action in doing the will of God. Let no one disregard or slight the faith and lose heavenly reward. Help everyone see that he or she is needed
Rom 12:4-6; 1 Cor 3:5; 1 Cor 12:12-31; Eph 4:16
God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit, one God in three persons, worked together for our salvation. We are to work together for God’s purposes. It is important that each Christian do his or her part.
God the Father sent His Son to die in our place.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
God the Son took on our sin and died for us.
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless,
Christ died for the ungodly.
Romans 5:6
Christ died for the ungodly.
Romans 5:6
God the Holy Spirit secured our salvation.
When you believed, you were marked in him
with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit . . . .
Eph 1:13
with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit . . . .
Eph 1:13
From this we can see that the kingdom of heaven is largely about collaborative work. While there is no reason for us to work together to secure our salvation, we do work together to serve God. We have to overcome our individualistic view of faith and see that teams of Christians are called to do much of what God wants done. This is why we are told to do our part and not act like autonomous individuals.
From him the whole body, joined and held together
by every supporting ligament, grows and builds
itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Eph 4:16
by every supporting ligament, grows and builds
itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Eph 4:16
Each person is indispensable for most of the tasks assigned by God, and most of them are to be done in and by Christian friendship groups, Christian families, and Christian marriages. Therefore, it is imperative that we each do our part in those relationships. If we are to help one another do anything God assigns, we must help each do his or her part.
This Together often follows other Togethers. First, we implement the Together of “Meet One Another’s Needs”, then “Look Out for One Another’s Good”. Once seeing what needs to be done, we “Spur One Another On to Love and Good Deeds”. Finally, we implement this Together, “See That Each One Does His or Her Part”. This, then, results in the harmony that creates songs of service that are beautiful worship to God’s ears.
We are to focus on the body of Christ, not our own individual lives as much as we do. That is a tall assignment in secular and church cultures that focus our attention on individuals.
This Together often follows other Togethers. First, we implement the Together of “Meet One Another’s Needs”, then “Look Out for One Another’s Good”. Once seeing what needs to be done, we “Spur One Another On to Love and Good Deeds”. Finally, we implement this Together, “See That Each One Does His or Her Part”. This, then, results in the harmony that creates songs of service that are beautiful worship to God’s ears.
We are to focus on the body of Christ, not our own individual lives as much as we do. That is a tall assignment in secular and church cultures that focus our attention on individuals.
Just as a body, though one, has many parts,
but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. . . .
Now you are the body of Christ,
and each one of you is a part of it.
1 Cor 12:12,27
but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. . . .
Now you are the body of Christ,
and each one of you is a part of it.
1 Cor 12:12,27
Much work for God is hindered by an absence of contribution by one of the Christians God wants involved. We often let people get out of tasks that could be done better for God if they participated. For the sake of God’s glory, we cannot allow those in our Christian Inner Circles to not do their part – not do what God has called and equipped them to do.
At the center of getting one another to do our individual parts is an understanding that we are teams. Like a basketball team, there are different roles and tasks that make extraordinary things happen.
It is easy to realize the necessity of a team of Christians when we think of larger works God wants done in our communities. But, it does not come so automatically that a team of different Christians with different talents, different experiences and different spiritual gifts should be assembled to get important things done in our friendship groups, our families, and our marriages.
One small example will make this a little more clear. When a child in the family is having trouble remembering to meet certain standards for cleaning the kitchen, Mom usually takes it upon herself to help that child. However, older siblings can do this and gain invaluable skills for success as an adult by learning how to teach and supervise others.
Seeing that each of us does his or her part recognizes that we work as a team, even at times when we are not even together physically. Here’s an example. Recently a new non-believing couple came to me with a horrendous marriage. They were locked in endless accusations and power struggles. The wife was an alcoholic who drank heavily. She reported that her husband told her I had written three books, but that they were too intellectual for her to understand. So, when she told me this in a session when her husband was not present, I cleared up that I had written only one book and it was definitely one she could understand. Thus, I asked her if she would want a free copy of the book Find Yourself - Give Yourself by yours truly. To fight back in this power struggle, she adamantly expressed that she wanted the book. The Introduction to the book is a clear presentation of the gospel. Without their terrible power plays, she would never have taken Christian material.
A week later she took my recommendation to get into rehab. A doctor she trusts helped her find an appropriate setting in which to detox, is a Christian, and even offered to have his wife be of support for the struggle to get and stay sober. I will never meet the doctor’s wife, but we are a team nevertheless. Each of us needs to do our part to bring God’s love and salvation to this woman. What if one of us did not do our part?
We must begin a more serious effort to see that each believer in our Christian Inner Circle does his or her part in numerous assignments from our Lord.
Opportunity to Become More and More Like Jesus Christ
At the center of getting one another to do our individual parts is an understanding that we are teams. Like a basketball team, there are different roles and tasks that make extraordinary things happen.
It is easy to realize the necessity of a team of Christians when we think of larger works God wants done in our communities. But, it does not come so automatically that a team of different Christians with different talents, different experiences and different spiritual gifts should be assembled to get important things done in our friendship groups, our families, and our marriages.
One small example will make this a little more clear. When a child in the family is having trouble remembering to meet certain standards for cleaning the kitchen, Mom usually takes it upon herself to help that child. However, older siblings can do this and gain invaluable skills for success as an adult by learning how to teach and supervise others.
Seeing that each of us does his or her part recognizes that we work as a team, even at times when we are not even together physically. Here’s an example. Recently a new non-believing couple came to me with a horrendous marriage. They were locked in endless accusations and power struggles. The wife was an alcoholic who drank heavily. She reported that her husband told her I had written three books, but that they were too intellectual for her to understand. So, when she told me this in a session when her husband was not present, I cleared up that I had written only one book and it was definitely one she could understand. Thus, I asked her if she would want a free copy of the book Find Yourself - Give Yourself by yours truly. To fight back in this power struggle, she adamantly expressed that she wanted the book. The Introduction to the book is a clear presentation of the gospel. Without their terrible power plays, she would never have taken Christian material.
A week later she took my recommendation to get into rehab. A doctor she trusts helped her find an appropriate setting in which to detox, is a Christian, and even offered to have his wife be of support for the struggle to get and stay sober. I will never meet the doctor’s wife, but we are a team nevertheless. Each of us needs to do our part to bring God’s love and salvation to this woman. What if one of us did not do our part?
We must begin a more serious effort to see that each believer in our Christian Inner Circle does his or her part in numerous assignments from our Lord.
Opportunity to Become More and More Like Jesus Christ
David and Arianna did not have the kind of jobs that set them up for an adequate retirement. They are in their early sixties and still working. Retirement is not in their plans. They will likely work until they can do it no longer. Even so, they find time to serve others as the Lord leads them. And, they take their relationship with their grown children and their grandchildren very seriously.
Many of their friends from church are retired. Most of them help others in one way or another. But, David and Arianna are concerned about their good friends Brandon and Taylor who are constantly taking one trip after another and going on cruises all over the world. Their extravagance is not what concerns Taylor and Brandon. Their unbelieving children and grandchildren need more of their attention and help, and because of their luxury lifestyle are not seeing a faith that is attractive. Their kids know many people their parents’ age who travel the world. So, the occasional church-going of their parents exhibits nothing special. David and Arianna know that they need to confront Brandon and Taylor about living their faith in ways that their “lost” children and grandchildren will notice. With respect to the work of the church, they are not only not doing their part, they aren’t doing any part. They overestimate the value of their sparse church attendance and Bible study. It has not produced devotion to God resulting in good works. They not only need to be spurred on to love and good deeds, they need to look out for the good of others in ways that cost energy, and perhaps money. |
Jesus saw that his disciples each did their parts. Even the traitor Judas was told to do his part and betray the Messiah. So, we can become more like Jesus in our day-to-day life if we, too, see that others do their parts. We need to not stop at spurring them on to love and good deeds. We need to stick with it until they obey and participate with others to get done the job that God wants.
In our families we can see that each one does his or her part. Husbands and wives are to help each other do their respective jobs in parenting. For the sake of their children and for God Himself, dads and moms must see that they each do their part through helpful actions. And, much of the work of parenting is to help the family’s children also do their parts.
I remember coming home after a difficult day’s work of putting brand-new mental health programs I had designed into practice. Once when I was in a bad mood because something important had become unnecessarily complicated, I hugged my 4-year-old and 2-year-old daughters and told them that I needed them to cheer me up. They got right into action, tickling me and whatever else came to mind. Not only was I giving them a task helpful to the family, I was also believing in them. As a result of this general attitude that they could improve our family through the tasks over the years that we gave them, they grew up very confident and capable.
Parents who shelter their kids from chores and spoil them with too many recreational opportunities inhibit either a sense of responsibility or confidence, or both. So, parents must help one another to do their part in raising confident, capable adults-to-be by giving their children responsibilities and helping them do them well. Furthermore, Christian parents must help one another do their part in building their children’s faith. If one parent lives the faith and the other just gives lip-service and church attendance, the job may not get done.
Single parents can do a good job in raising children, but friends and relatives in their Christian Inner Circles probably need to contribute to see that they are able to parent constructively with their less time and energy. Parenting is a difficult task, and help is definitely called for.
Seeing that each does his or her part, whether for parenting or any task assigned by God, does not mean being “bossy”. That is rarely helpful. Going a bit more slowly with conversation about why the person needs to do his or her part will be helpful. Questions will reveal why a person is reluctant and can give a clue to what other conversations might be useful in getting the person to contribute to the things that need to be done.
Then consider that we together are actually the body of Christ. We need to act like we are. For one thing, we each have a spiritual gift, not for our own good, but for the good of the body of Christ, the church, two or more gathered in the name of Jesus. Without these gifts of God flowing through us to others, to the church, God is not getting the job He wants done.
These gifts of the Holy Spirit are supernatural, not something we can make happen. But, they are something that we can allow to happen without resistance. We can hold the Spirit back by not being a willing vehicle for God to use supernaturally through the Holy Spirit.
In our families we can see that each one does his or her part. Husbands and wives are to help each other do their respective jobs in parenting. For the sake of their children and for God Himself, dads and moms must see that they each do their part through helpful actions. And, much of the work of parenting is to help the family’s children also do their parts.
I remember coming home after a difficult day’s work of putting brand-new mental health programs I had designed into practice. Once when I was in a bad mood because something important had become unnecessarily complicated, I hugged my 4-year-old and 2-year-old daughters and told them that I needed them to cheer me up. They got right into action, tickling me and whatever else came to mind. Not only was I giving them a task helpful to the family, I was also believing in them. As a result of this general attitude that they could improve our family through the tasks over the years that we gave them, they grew up very confident and capable.
Parents who shelter their kids from chores and spoil them with too many recreational opportunities inhibit either a sense of responsibility or confidence, or both. So, parents must help one another to do their part in raising confident, capable adults-to-be by giving their children responsibilities and helping them do them well. Furthermore, Christian parents must help one another do their part in building their children’s faith. If one parent lives the faith and the other just gives lip-service and church attendance, the job may not get done.
Single parents can do a good job in raising children, but friends and relatives in their Christian Inner Circles probably need to contribute to see that they are able to parent constructively with their less time and energy. Parenting is a difficult task, and help is definitely called for.
Seeing that each does his or her part, whether for parenting or any task assigned by God, does not mean being “bossy”. That is rarely helpful. Going a bit more slowly with conversation about why the person needs to do his or her part will be helpful. Questions will reveal why a person is reluctant and can give a clue to what other conversations might be useful in getting the person to contribute to the things that need to be done.
Then consider that we together are actually the body of Christ. We need to act like we are. For one thing, we each have a spiritual gift, not for our own good, but for the good of the body of Christ, the church, two or more gathered in the name of Jesus. Without these gifts of God flowing through us to others, to the church, God is not getting the job He wants done.
These gifts of the Holy Spirit are supernatural, not something we can make happen. But, they are something that we can allow to happen without resistance. We can hold the Spirit back by not being a willing vehicle for God to use supernaturally through the Holy Spirit.
Do not quench the Spirit.
1 Thess 5:19
1 Thess 5:19
It is good to know our spiritual gift or gifts so as to let them pass freely through us from the Holy Spirit to the people of God. But, even if we do not know them, all that is necessary is a willingness to be used by God and do and go where He tells us. Then, the gifts of the Spirit will express themselves in us automatically at the time of God’s own choosing.
Often others in our Christian Inner Circles will know what our gift(s) are before we do. They can tell us their opinions. We can take their observations into consideration. Especially when more than one of them suggests we have a certain gift of the Spirit, we should take notice. It is very, very special to have the power of God flow from the Holy Spirit through us.
Knowing our spiritual gift will often help us understand why we are where we are, speaking to whoever we are, for whatever God is doing. It can make us more willing to do something for which we do not feel prepared. No worries. The Holy Spirit is prepared.
Often others in our Christian Inner Circles will know what our gift(s) are before we do. They can tell us their opinions. We can take their observations into consideration. Especially when more than one of them suggests we have a certain gift of the Spirit, we should take notice. It is very, very special to have the power of God flow from the Holy Spirit through us.
Knowing our spiritual gift will often help us understand why we are where we are, speaking to whoever we are, for whatever God is doing. It can make us more willing to do something for which we do not feel prepared. No worries. The Holy Spirit is prepared.
On my account you will be brought before governors and kings
as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you,
do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time
you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking,
but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Matt 10:18-20
as witnesses to them and to the Gentiles. But when they arrest you,
do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time
you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking,
but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.
Matt 10:18-20
So, we can be more like Jesus by getting others to do their part, especially by helping all of us realize more and more that together we make up the earthly body of Christ. Without some of us, we exhibit only a portion of Jesus. We should never be okay with that!
Opportunity to Worship God
Opportunity to Worship God
The Wilson Family volunteered to watch the dog of Mrs. Jackson who had to go into the hospital for a week. Her dog was her whole life, being her only companion day in and day out. This was a job that needed everybody to work as a team. So, the Wilson Family held a special meeting where they all saw that each one of them took part of the responsibility.
“Who can hang out with the dog most of the time?” they asked. Four-year-old Mickey raised his hand. The family decided that he had the most time since he was not yet in school. Mom would back him up, as she was not going to return to work until Mickey was in third grade. Mickey’s 15-year-old sister would take care of feeding the dog. Mickey’s dad would take the dog on walks every morning and evening. Mom would be in contact with Mrs. Jackson every day to give a report on how the dog was doing. The family decided to check on each person at dinnertime to see that everyone was doing their part and solve any problems that came up. |
God has given us authority in Christian relationships to see that each one does his or her part in the work of the kingdom. When we do so, we worship God by reflecting back to Him his role to decide and decree assignments and personnel in his own kingdom.
Behaving like God is worship. It is holding Him in such high esteem that we want to have His character reflected in us. In the Bible, we can see God telling His people what to do. Here are a few examples from His relationship with the nation of Israel.
Behaving like God is worship. It is holding Him in such high esteem that we want to have His character reflected in us. In the Bible, we can see God telling His people what to do. Here are a few examples from His relationship with the nation of Israel.
Tell all the skilled workers to whom I have given wisdom
in such matters that they are to make garments for Aaron,
for his consecration, so he may serve me as priest.
Exodus 28:3
Then the Lord said to Moses,
“Make a bronze basin, with its bronze stand, for washing.”
Exodus 30:17-18
in such matters that they are to make garments for Aaron,
for his consecration, so he may serve me as priest.
Exodus 28:3
Then the Lord said to Moses,
“Make a bronze basin, with its bronze stand, for washing.”
Exodus 30:17-18
God doesn’t need our permission to tell us what to do, and we don’t either when we are telling our non-adult children to do their chores. But, we shouldn’t use God’s method of commanding any more than necessary. With friends and spouse, as well as with grown children, it is wise to see that each does his or her part through thoughtful and loving conversation, laced with conviction.
Furthermore, God often gives wisdom for doing what He says to do.
Furthermore, God often gives wisdom for doing what He says to do.
"Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long
in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”
Exodus 20:12 (one of the Ten Commandments)
in the land the Lord your God is giving you.”
Exodus 20:12 (one of the Ten Commandments)
We can be like God in getting people to do their part using wisdom. In graduate school I learned how to “lend a vision” to motivate others to change. You lend a vision by starting with an “if” statement followed by a “then” conclusion. Here are a few examples.
“If you learn to talk without so much anger,
you will then do better in job interviews.” “If you pick up your clothes off the floor, then they will last longer, you won’t trip over them, and you will not have to wash your own clothes.” “If you speak nicer to me, then I will enjoy you more and life will be more pleasant for us both.” “If you call me once in a while rather than my always calling you, we will then be able to have lunch together more often.” |
Here again is God doing this same thing: lending a vision.
“When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain,
or command locusts to devour the land
or send a plague among my people,
if my people, who are called by my name,
will humble themselves and pray and seek my face
and turn from their wicked ways,
then I will hear from heaven,
and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:13-14
or command locusts to devour the land
or send a plague among my people,
if my people, who are called by my name,
will humble themselves and pray and seek my face
and turn from their wicked ways,
then I will hear from heaven,
and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.”
2 Chronicles 7:13-14
Let’s note that God doesn’t just encourage His people to do their part once and then leave them alone. Throughout Scripture, either directly or indirectly, God tells us to do our parts over and over again. So, we must keep after those we are close to until they surrender to God’s direction and do their parts.
To our worship in song let’s add worship in daily life by getting others to do their part in the work of God in their friendships, families, marriages as well as other assignments.
How Used in Battle to Defeat Evil and Satan
To our worship in song let’s add worship in daily life by getting others to do their part in the work of God in their friendships, families, marriages as well as other assignments.
How Used in Battle to Defeat Evil and Satan
Ellie and her friend Savannah became concerned for the older ladies in their church when one of them fell and broke her hip. They began praying about what the Lord wanted done that was not being taken care of. Soon Tracy, another friend, joined them. They were aware they were doing the Together of “Look Out for One Another’s Good”.
The list of needs became extensive and included the need for daily phone checks, safety bars and railings installed, minor house repairs, prayer, medication monitoring, and more social contact for those who rarely could come to church. From their study of the Togethers of Scripture, the three women knew the next step was to discover who in the church had the skills needed and could help. They listed people who were retired and still physically able to drop by daily to do medication checks. Other, less mobile seniors could do the daily phone safety checks and brief phone prayer. Those with time for more lengthy phone conversations could lessen loneliness of a homebound person. They listed men who could install safety items and do minor home repair and others who could pay for the materials. Lastly, they organized a number of groups of 3 women to form “party groups” that would visit the homebound once every month or two and throw a little dinner party and fun time. Now came the time to implement the Together of “Spurring One Another On to Love and Good Deeds”. Each woman held a luncheon for the other women in her own Christian Inner Circle to enlist others for action. Not only did they see that each who could did her part in helping seniors, but they also found out who could contact others in their Christian Inner Circle to recruit more help. Eventually, they found out who would step right up when spurred on toward love and good deeds and who would need the more difficult work of the Together “See That Each One Does His or Her Part”. By usually not taking a “no” for an answer and continuing to talk to those with talents and needed skills, eventually they were able to complete their Seniors Care Team. It helped to suggest to men in particular that they could do home repairs with a friend, that such a team was actually more desirable. And the women enlisted a number of marriages and families to enjoy helping seniors on a regular basis. |
Satan loves half-baked jobs done for God by His people. This dishonors God and fits in with the goal of the devil. Every time somebody who is supposed to be in on the action is not, God does not receive the results in the manner He desires. Sure, God can fill in for the missing person’s contribution, but He wants us to love Him enough to get everyone doing their own part.
There is a problem in our organized churches where 80% of the work is done by 20% of the members. And, what the church is trying to do is probably just a small percentage of the potential if everyone would do their part. The church that puts into practice the Scriptural teaching for every Christian to have a job in the body can accomplish tremendous things for God.
There is a problem in our organized churches where 80% of the work is done by 20% of the members. And, what the church is trying to do is probably just a small percentage of the potential if everyone would do their part. The church that puts into practice the Scriptural teaching for every Christian to have a job in the body can accomplish tremendous things for God.
What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul?
Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as
the Lord has assigned to each his task.
1 Cor 3:5
Only servants, through whom you came to believe—as
the Lord has assigned to each his task.
1 Cor 3:5
Churches must provide a whole lot more help than they do if they are to get everyone assigned a job in the work of God. Yet, it is unrealistic to think that church leadership can spend enough time with every member to help them identify their various talents and gifts, spur them on, and then see that they do their parts.
The answer to this dilemma is for church leadership through sermons, teaching, and stepped-up discipleship to get its friendship groups, families and marriages in on the action of seeing that each person does his or her part. These smaller groups have the personal influence with individuals to work with them until they see the good they can do for God, for others, and even for themselves.
The war against evil is complex and each Christian is needed as a soldier in the army of God. Everyone but toddlers can be soldiers and be involved in battle.
Families need to spend time discovering how God wants to use each family member to fight evil, usually by helping one another, as well as relatives and friends. Is there an alcoholic uncle whom the five-year-old can easily “get away with” saying he or she wished he would stop drinking? Is a family member low on confidence and need everyone to encourage her or his capabilities? Is Mom doing too much and is Satan wearing her down with discouragement? Can the family work together to have a garage sale to get enough money for some dental procedure needed?
Husbands and wives need to examine how Satan is attacking them and decide what part each of them can have to defeat the devil. Is the husband so enmeshed with his relatives that he can’t find time for himself and acquire peace of mind? What can he do? What is his wife’s part in setting him free? If unsure, who can be brought in to advise them so that they can each do their part in thwarting Satan’s diabolical scheme?
Friends need to pay attention to how Satan is destroying each of them in some way and take action. What will be each friend’s part in helping one of them get a better paying job so he can better support his family? What is the part each friend in a group of four men has so they can keep one of the single men sexually pure? What can each woman in a group of three do for one of them who is ruled by jealousy?
And, then how do friends, family members, and spouses see that one another does their part in combating Satan’s evil outside of their group? How do they support one another to defeat destructive forces at places of employment, in extended families, and in neighborhoods? Can they identify parts that need to be done to fight evil around the world, such as getting each to put aside money for missions and world relief?
In warfare, slackers are spotted and dealt with because lives depend on it. We are at war and we need every soldier to do his or her part. They may think that it is none of our business how they live their Christian lives. We should know better. We need to tell them that the Boss sent us. We can say that we wish He had sent someone else to face their displeasure. We can explain that we must obey God and His Scriptures more than respect their wishes. We can clarify the war we are in, that we are on God’s side or the devil’s, and that they have a crucial part.
We have a responsibility to see that our Christian Inner Circles see that everyone does his or her part. There may be personal risk at times to do so. To not do so is always a personal risk with respect to Who has asked us to see that everyone does his or her part.
How in the Sinful Environment this Together Prepares Us for Heaven
The answer to this dilemma is for church leadership through sermons, teaching, and stepped-up discipleship to get its friendship groups, families and marriages in on the action of seeing that each person does his or her part. These smaller groups have the personal influence with individuals to work with them until they see the good they can do for God, for others, and even for themselves.
The war against evil is complex and each Christian is needed as a soldier in the army of God. Everyone but toddlers can be soldiers and be involved in battle.
Families need to spend time discovering how God wants to use each family member to fight evil, usually by helping one another, as well as relatives and friends. Is there an alcoholic uncle whom the five-year-old can easily “get away with” saying he or she wished he would stop drinking? Is a family member low on confidence and need everyone to encourage her or his capabilities? Is Mom doing too much and is Satan wearing her down with discouragement? Can the family work together to have a garage sale to get enough money for some dental procedure needed?
Husbands and wives need to examine how Satan is attacking them and decide what part each of them can have to defeat the devil. Is the husband so enmeshed with his relatives that he can’t find time for himself and acquire peace of mind? What can he do? What is his wife’s part in setting him free? If unsure, who can be brought in to advise them so that they can each do their part in thwarting Satan’s diabolical scheme?
Friends need to pay attention to how Satan is destroying each of them in some way and take action. What will be each friend’s part in helping one of them get a better paying job so he can better support his family? What is the part each friend in a group of four men has so they can keep one of the single men sexually pure? What can each woman in a group of three do for one of them who is ruled by jealousy?
And, then how do friends, family members, and spouses see that one another does their part in combating Satan’s evil outside of their group? How do they support one another to defeat destructive forces at places of employment, in extended families, and in neighborhoods? Can they identify parts that need to be done to fight evil around the world, such as getting each to put aside money for missions and world relief?
In warfare, slackers are spotted and dealt with because lives depend on it. We are at war and we need every soldier to do his or her part. They may think that it is none of our business how they live their Christian lives. We should know better. We need to tell them that the Boss sent us. We can say that we wish He had sent someone else to face their displeasure. We can explain that we must obey God and His Scriptures more than respect their wishes. We can clarify the war we are in, that we are on God’s side or the devil’s, and that they have a crucial part.
We have a responsibility to see that our Christian Inner Circles see that everyone does his or her part. There may be personal risk at times to do so. To not do so is always a personal risk with respect to Who has asked us to see that everyone does his or her part.
How in the Sinful Environment this Together Prepares Us for Heaven
Charlotte was dedicated to getting people to do their part in glorifying God through service. She understood the principle of leadership to not do what others could do – if it seemed that they were made by God for that particular contribution.
When someone in her family had a challenging task that needed the help of others, Charlotte would discuss with each child and her husband what they could do to help and then, in one way or another, make sure that they did what they could. When Charlotte’s husband needed accountability to do something a father needed to do, she helped him do it and did not let him avoid his responsibility. She reminded him, asked him why he was putting it off to see if a solution could be found, or commented how good and capable he was in doing whatever needed to be done. When one of Charlotte’s friends needed advice, she would think of who could give it from across her Christian Inner Circle and ask that person to go to lunch, meet the friend, and see that the needed counsel was given. But, it did not stop at getting the Christians in her life the help God wanted for them through her leadership. At work, when Charlotte saw something that could be done among the unbelievers to help them deal with a sinful world without God in their lives, Charlotte would mobilize the efforts of the Christians in the office to provide what each could. For a situation of poor job performance, for example, she would get the most knowledgeable and proficient Christian in the needed job skills to befriend the person and mentor informally to help the person save his or her job. She would get the most hospitable Christian woman to take the struggling employee to lunch and offer supportive friendship. She would marshal the influence of a high-ranking Christian to request a bit of patience from the employee’s supervisor. God kept noticing Charlotte’s ability to get His people to work together harmoniously and was already planning the role He would give her in heaven when she got there. |
This Together of seeing that each one does his or her part prepares those who implement it for positions of management in heaven. There are other Togethers important in this preparation for management, but this one develops an ability to see the whole project and how each person fits into it.
In an orchestra each musician appreciates the harmony. Each musician participates with his or her instrument. But, the conductor hears the whole of the symphony and how and just when each musician is to play his or her part. Those of us who now help everyone do their part in tasks for the Lord are preparing to be one kind of conductor or another later in heaven.
Everyone of us can obey this biblical instruction to see that each one of us does our part and qualify for some job in heaven that manages people. We don’t really know what specific jobs will exist in heaven, but it is likely on the new earth, for example, that there are hotels in gorgeous places. Many will need to clean rooms, cook food, and other such services. Someone will have the job of managing the kitchen staff. And, someone will be in charge of the whole hotel operation. While it might seem that this is only conjecture, Jesus did give us this peek into heaven.
In an orchestra each musician appreciates the harmony. Each musician participates with his or her instrument. But, the conductor hears the whole of the symphony and how and just when each musician is to play his or her part. Those of us who now help everyone do their part in tasks for the Lord are preparing to be one kind of conductor or another later in heaven.
Everyone of us can obey this biblical instruction to see that each one of us does our part and qualify for some job in heaven that manages people. We don’t really know what specific jobs will exist in heaven, but it is likely on the new earth, for example, that there are hotels in gorgeous places. Many will need to clean rooms, cook food, and other such services. Someone will have the job of managing the kitchen staff. And, someone will be in charge of the whole hotel operation. While it might seem that this is only conjecture, Jesus did give us this peek into heaven.
“He was made king, however, and returned home.
Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money,
in order to find out what they had gained with it.
“The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’
“‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied.
‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter,
take charge of ten cities.’
“The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’
“His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’”
Luke 19:15-19
Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money,
in order to find out what they had gained with it.
“The first one came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned ten more.’
“‘Well done, my good servant!’ his master replied.
‘Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter,
take charge of ten cities.’
“The second came and said, ‘Sir, your mina has earned five more.’
“His master answered, ‘You take charge of five cities.’”
Luke 19:15-19
Can you imagine a mayor in heaven not having the skills or loyalty to God to be able to direct others to do their part in making the city’s society run smoothly? Many of us will want some level of responsibility in heaven for managing others, maybe not being in charge of a whole city, but perhaps being in charge of keeping the streets clean.
Even if we do not want responsibility for others in heaven for all eternity, we still must make sure that at least one person in our Christian Inner Circle does help people to do their parts so that God will get what He wants. The command is for us to work together to see that each does his or her part. So, everyone does not need to lead, but everyone needs to help out with encouragement and other applicable Togethers.
One other result for heaven needs to be mentioned. Since getting people to do their part when they are resistant takes more loyalty to God than devotion to our own comfort, we grow in dedication to what God wants. Our preparation for heaven is the same as when we do the Together of “Spur One Another On to Love and Good Deeds”. (The explanation is more thorough under the section dealing with Spurring On.) By both spurring on and seeing that others do their part, we elevate God by prioritizing His purposes. In heaven we will have more joy at things there that please God.
Let’s see that those Christians we most care about do their part in the work of God. If they do not, they will be losing treasure in heaven. And their quality of life in heaven will be less, even though they will be 100% satisfied.
How this Together Can Make It Really Good in Heaven
Even if we do not want responsibility for others in heaven for all eternity, we still must make sure that at least one person in our Christian Inner Circle does help people to do their parts so that God will get what He wants. The command is for us to work together to see that each does his or her part. So, everyone does not need to lead, but everyone needs to help out with encouragement and other applicable Togethers.
One other result for heaven needs to be mentioned. Since getting people to do their part when they are resistant takes more loyalty to God than devotion to our own comfort, we grow in dedication to what God wants. Our preparation for heaven is the same as when we do the Together of “Spur One Another On to Love and Good Deeds”. (The explanation is more thorough under the section dealing with Spurring On.) By both spurring on and seeing that others do their part, we elevate God by prioritizing His purposes. In heaven we will have more joy at things there that please God.
Let’s see that those Christians we most care about do their part in the work of God. If they do not, they will be losing treasure in heaven. And their quality of life in heaven will be less, even though they will be 100% satisfied.
How this Together Can Make It Really Good in Heaven
You can’t imagine how satisfying it is to be in charge of setting out all the food at one of the banquets here in heaven. I am so glad that before death I learned how to see that each person in my Christian Inner Circle did his or her part. That led to my reward in heaven being that of managing people.
Yesterday the people I oversee knew what each was to do and set a beautiful table at the appreciation banquet for those who back in the midst of sin before heaven freely shared their possessions with other Christians. The person responsible for arranging the salads did her usual fantastic job. The fellow who spread out the breads did likewise. It was fun directing the work so that our team operated in such harmony. I felt like a sort of conductor with my own orchestra. |
Managing people in heaven will be pure joy. First of all, they won’t sin. No grumbling, only happy to serve others. No backbiting. No resenting management. Second, managers will treat those they oversee with love and respect. It will be wonderful to have great relationships with everyone a manager directs. Third, and most important, managers will have the thrill of giving God what He wants. Seeing whatever you are in charge of come out okay will be quite rewarding, and there will probably be no wishing it had turned out better.
I guess it is possible that in heaven no one will make any mistakes, but I don’t think so. There are mistakes that do not come from sin. Imagine that in heaven you are learning to cook some complicated and exquisite omelet. Will the first one you cook come out perfect? Why would we think that? Sure, heaven will be perfect, but can’t it be perfect like a day when we are teaching one of our children to ride a bike and they make mistakes? Perfection in heaven probably does not mean people will not need to be taught and managed.
Management from a biblical perspective is servanthood. Remember what a high quality it is to be a servant?
I guess it is possible that in heaven no one will make any mistakes, but I don’t think so. There are mistakes that do not come from sin. Imagine that in heaven you are learning to cook some complicated and exquisite omelet. Will the first one you cook come out perfect? Why would we think that? Sure, heaven will be perfect, but can’t it be perfect like a day when we are teaching one of our children to ride a bike and they make mistakes? Perfection in heaven probably does not mean people will not need to be taught and managed.
Management from a biblical perspective is servanthood. Remember what a high quality it is to be a servant?
Jesus called them together and said,
“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles
lord it over them, and their high officials
exercise authority over them. Not so with you.
Instead, whoever wants to become great among you
must be your servant,
and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as
the Son of Man did not come to be served,
but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Matt 20:25-28
“You know that the rulers of the Gentiles
lord it over them, and their high officials
exercise authority over them. Not so with you.
Instead, whoever wants to become great among you
must be your servant,
and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as
the Son of Man did not come to be served,
but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Matt 20:25-28
In whatever position we fill, it will be very rewarding for those of us who saw that others did their part in serving God. So, let’s all ask the Lord who it is that we might influence to do their part.
Opportunity for a Closer Relationship with God through Empathy
Opportunity for a Closer Relationship with God through Empathy
As mayor of a little mountain town on the new earth, I get to go to a “small town mayor’s meeting” once every two months. There, I and other small town mayors visit with Jesus and find out what He wants us to do in our town management duties. This meeting with God is exuberant, business only taking up a small amount of time. The rest of the time in this magnificent castle we spend visiting with one another. Jesus joins our small conversation circles from time to time.
In case you are curious, mayors of large cities meet at this castle once a week. Before death they were better than we at seeing that everyone did their part in the work of God. That is okay with me. They deserve the higher reward and I am happy for them. I wish that all those who never get to come to this conference center near the throne of God had paid more attention to getting other Christians with whom they had influence into the action back in that evil culture. |
In a few parables of the kingdom, Jesus talked of a king or a master calling his subjects or servants to him to tell them what to do. While those parables were teaching about salvation, nevertheless, we can peek into heaven through them. The point is that some subjects or servants had more contact with the king or master than others. And, the distinction was that the king or master was going to tell them something to do, something, that if they did it right, would result in a reward with some sort of management responsibility.
So, whether there are business meetings at the throne of God in heaven or some other way of taking orders, those of us rewarded with management duties can expect extra meetings with our Lord. And, I doubt it will be like being called into a meeting without coffee and donuts. No, it will be more like management meetings in wealthy organizations – a bit spoiled with fine food and drink.
Praise and Prayer Regarding this Together
Dear God, You always do Your part. And, so I and those in my Christian Inner Circle will need Your help to grow our spirits to help one another do our parts in the work You want done. Help us to let the Holy Spirit enlarge our spirits to elevate what You want done over our discomfort in getting others to do their parts.
Please help us all to become more like Jesus and boldly mention to even the most resistant or lazy believers in our Christian Inner Circles that God needs them to get something done. Like Jesus, help all of us keep at whatever is needed to get others into the loving action where You want them.
May our lives worship You more because we hold highly what You have decided to be done and whom you want to contribute – not just in our minds, but in our actions to get others into the assignments you have for them. Give to us Your wise ways to empower people to ministry.
Make us strong in Your power to defeat the devil by making sure that God does not get inferior products from His people when they are to work together and produce something He wants done that will also bring Him glory. Help us to see how working together against Satan, where each believer has an important part to play, is so much more powerful than action by an individual Christian.
Help us all to prepare for heaven by becoming more able to see what You want done and then give us a vision of how others in our Christian Inner Circles can join together to glorify You. Get us ready to manage tasks in heaven, whether they be small or large.
So, whether there are business meetings at the throne of God in heaven or some other way of taking orders, those of us rewarded with management duties can expect extra meetings with our Lord. And, I doubt it will be like being called into a meeting without coffee and donuts. No, it will be more like management meetings in wealthy organizations – a bit spoiled with fine food and drink.
Praise and Prayer Regarding this Together
Dear God, You always do Your part. And, so I and those in my Christian Inner Circle will need Your help to grow our spirits to help one another do our parts in the work You want done. Help us to let the Holy Spirit enlarge our spirits to elevate what You want done over our discomfort in getting others to do their parts.
Please help us all to become more like Jesus and boldly mention to even the most resistant or lazy believers in our Christian Inner Circles that God needs them to get something done. Like Jesus, help all of us keep at whatever is needed to get others into the loving action where You want them.
May our lives worship You more because we hold highly what You have decided to be done and whom you want to contribute – not just in our minds, but in our actions to get others into the assignments you have for them. Give to us Your wise ways to empower people to ministry.
Make us strong in Your power to defeat the devil by making sure that God does not get inferior products from His people when they are to work together and produce something He wants done that will also bring Him glory. Help us to see how working together against Satan, where each believer has an important part to play, is so much more powerful than action by an individual Christian.
Help us all to prepare for heaven by becoming more able to see what You want done and then give us a vision of how others in our Christian Inner Circles can join together to glorify You. Get us ready to manage tasks in heaven, whether they be small or large.
Ever increasing practice of the Togethers of Scripture will (1) create in you the loving essence of Jesus, (2) give Jesus the kind of love He requested, (3) provide you with the most significant spiritual lifestyle which is attainable only through Christian community, (4) offer significant worship to God by reflecting his own character back to him through your behavior, and (5) bring God’s kingdom to earth as asked for in the Lord’s Prayer. And for heaven, such growing obedience to Scripture now will later (6) qualify you for a more responsible place of service as reward in heaven, and, (7) most important of all, give you greater empathy with God for a closer relationship with Him for all of eternity.