April 27, 2025
Greetings and blessings to all of you. The Good News for the Christian is that we understand the “why” of the cross. Not only did Jesus die for you, but he also died as you. When God looked at the cross, he saw you dying also. Romans 6:6-7 says “for we know that our old self was crucified with him.” At the Cross you died in Christ. Your old self was crucified once and for all in order that you “should no longer be a slave to sin”. Gal. 2:20 said, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life, which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” However, in the Body of Christ there is a Spirit of laziness. We seem to be living as carnal Christians; that is living in the flesh but professing that we are Christians. One of the many reasons might be is that - we like comfort and we love convenience. When we step out in faith to do the work of the Lord, we will face obstacles and challenges that will require work. The Christian faith includes commitment and devotion and those two items take work. If our minds are focused too much on worldly things...and not on the things of Christ we will be distracted. The question will arise…Am I serving Christ with all what He has given me? If not -it is a failure to fulfill your purpose for the Kingdom. A theologian once said, “it is not enough for Jesus followers to hang in there and wait for the end. They must see themselves as servants who improve what God entrusts to them. Failure to do so proves they cannot really be valued as disciples at all.” Understand that Jesus is our Master who has given each of us a talent/gift. We are His stewards, responsible for that which has been entrusted to us. We are to work diligently honoring our Master by maximizing His resources. Notice the contrasting verses in Matthew 25 regarding the “talents”. First one stated, “But his master replied to him, you evil lazy slave. …. take the talent from him and give it to the one who has 10 talents”. To the other man he said, “Well done good and faithful servant You were faithful over a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Share your master’s joy.” We must use our talents and develop them to demonstrate to God that we love Him and will be that servant that is willing to work on behalf of His kingdom with diligence and longsuffering.
With the Love of Christ
First Lady Vivian C. Currie
Pastor ALC