Is He satisfied with me?

   Last night, as I was working on my Sword Study, I came across Colossians 1:28-29: "Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his working, which worketh in me mightily." Hmm. Diving into Strongs Concordance, I discovered that the word "present" in 28 can also mean recommend, stand behind, or show. The word "labour" in vs 29 means to toil to the point of exhaustion, "striving" means to struggle, compete for a prize, endeavour to accomplish, fight, or labour fervently, and "mightily" can also mean in an intense, well-strung manner. It's incredible how much deeper meaning the verses have than at first glance!

   Anyway, the Lord really pointed out some things to me. This world is teaching this generation to look out for "Number One", and that nobody else matters. Paul's life was the exact opposite. He gave his all for the furtherance of the gospel, like Epaphroditus in Phillipians 2. "Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death, not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me."

   Every Christian has a job to do. Ephesians 4:11-13 "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:"...and we are to give thanks to God to where we are placed! "Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power"(emphasis added) God does not 'need' us, and we should not serve Him in an attempt to pay for our salvation. Christ has paid the ultimate cost, and there's nothing we can or need to do to earn it! Our reason for serving Him should be our overflowing gratitude to and love for Him.

   To quote my friend, we are too comfortable in our church pews! Look at Jesus' life. Throughout the years of His ministry, he did not even have what we would call "necessities". It may be hard for you to apply that to your life though, which is why God has given us Christian examples to help us. John the Baptist lived out in the wilderness, clothed with camel skin, feasting on locusts and wild honey, yet he lived his life for the furtherance of the Gospel, and look what Jesus said about him! "Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he."

    So why are we still going through our little routines, oblivious to what's going on around us? Why aren't we standing up for Jesus? Can one person make a difference, you ask? YES! Have you noticed that it only takes one person to get laws against God started? Then how much greater should we be, with God on our side? Are we "striving according to His working, which worketh in us mightily", encouraging our brothers and sisters in Christ and witnessing to others in our words and actions, giving our ALL to the furtherance of the Gospel?

I am satisfied with Jesus,

He has done so much for me,

He has suffered to redeem me,

He has died to set me free.

He is with me in my trials,

Best of friends of all is He;

I can always count on Jesus,

Can He always count on me?

I can hear the voice of Jesus 

Calling out so pleadingly,

"Go and win the lost and straying"

Is He satisfied with me?

When my work on earth is ended,

And I cross the mystic sea,

Oh, that I could hear Him saying

"I am satisfied with thee."

I am satisfied, I am satisfied,

I am satisfied with Jesus,

But the question comes to me.

As I think of Calvary,

Is my Master satisfied with me?