Daily Archives: September 14, 2013

Are you such a man as the Lord can use?

Athletes who compete in important contests like the Olympics train many years to qualify themselves just for a chance to be victorious. Doctors spend many hours in school and training so that they can be as prepared for their work as possible. Some men love their country so much that they are willing to lay down their lives in its service. The founding fathers pledged their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor to forge a nation founded on liberty. These people and many others like them, at least the ones that are successful, share certain common traits: passion, dedication, commitment, and zeal, to name a few things. They are worthy of notice and praise.

Yet, while we consider their accomplishments and victories impressive and worthy of praise, when held up against the importance of the gospel they all ring so very hollow. The doctor may save a precious human life, but the gospel saves a incomparably valuable soul. A soldier may defeat a temporal foe and bring about temporary peace, but the gospel brings about eternal peace with God and the defeat of both the enemy of man and God. The Olympian may win a gold medal but the gospel’s victory heralds in an incorruptible crown that fades not away. The difference between the two is so vast as not to be subject to description.

As Christians, we have so much for which to strive, so much is at stake, and yet so often we offer so little, we sacrifice so very little for it. When I consider the Herculean efforts of men like Noah, who spent decade upon decade of his life laboring to build the ark, to fulfill God’s will in the face of blistering ridicule; when I think of men like Abram, who left his homeland to go to a land he had never before seen and was willing to offer up to God the most precious things of his life; when I think of the prophets who, through the sorest of persecutions, often leading to their tragic death, nevertheless spoke with boldness the word of God; when I think of the apostles, especially the great apostle Paul, who gave up all that he had accomplished in life to bring the saving Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world only to be persecuted, imprisoned and martyred; when I think of these great men I am impressed deeply with their strong conviction and unwavering faith and am caused to blush in shame that my own meager efforts are so trifling small, so ineffectual, so weak.

God wants men to serve Him who have strong convictions, men who will not bend with every false wind of doctrine that blows across the land, men who will not fold under the slightest pressure of opposition, men who stand in the gap, men who stand on the Lords’ side no matter what may be the consequence. While other men fold and fall behind because of trials, whether small or great, God wants men who stand firm, resolved and unmoved. God wants men of courage and conviction.

Do you believe the Lord’s promises? Do you trust Him? Are you willing to sacrifice all, to leave nothing behind? If you know a thing is right, if you know it is God’s will, then stand up and be counted. Grow in the knowledge of His will then stand up and speak out! Do not waiver. You have no assurance that you will not be ridiculed. You have no assurance that you will not suffer at the hands of men less convicted. You have no assurance that you will not suffer loss. You have no assurance that it will be at all easy. Indeed, you can rest assured that when you stand unmoved for the Lord you will face opposition of the most serious kind. You will be tested. Count on it.

But the Cause is unquestionably worth it. The stakes could be no higher. The need for men whose character is tempered enough to do the job is clear.

Are you such a man as the Lord can use?