Sitting with the Lord and serving Him by Pastor Daniel
 
Introduction
Consider this statement: “God in interested in who we become and not what we are doing.” What are you thinking right now? Many among us would agree with it readily and even preach this truth. However, as we investigate this statement, what is the truth behind this and is there a flaw in it as well?

Is it true that God is only interested in what we become and not in what we do? Now, we may have second thought about the statement. I believe that both the elements are good and they are what God wants of us.
 
The “Being”
Yes, God is interested in what we become. I remembered how on the day that I received the Lord Jesus Christ into my life as my Savior. As I prayed for forgiveness and acceptance, I remembered very clearly that I also prayed that God would make me the person He wants me to be. It was so well ingrained upon our lives right from the beginning that God is interested in what we become. It is so true.

Look at the Bible that outlines the goal of God in our lives. In Romans 8:28-29, we read, “And we know that for those who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be CONFORMED to the image of his Son,…”

We have even taken the example of Mary and Martha where Jesus chose the portion of Mary (the being) over the portion of Martha (the doing). The question is this: “Is that all true? Is that what our Lord meant to convey?”

Did our Lord “condemn” the works of Martha? Or was it something else like her attitude of a complaining spirit when serving? What if she did not complain but find the joy of serving her master?

It is true that God in first and foremost more interested in our “being”, but it is also true that God is interested in our doing.
 
The “Doing”
When I read the same verse in Romans 8:29 that we should be conformed to the image of His Son, it covers both the being and the doing. Look at the life of Jesus – was it not about His “doing” as well?

Looking at scriptures, we see the importance of serving the Lord, serving people, getting to the ground, “dirtying” our hands and be involved in the “doing”. We are so familiar with this wise saying, “Don’t just tell me, show me!”

Paul in Philippians 2:12 says, “My beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, WORK OUT your own salvation with fear and trembling.” We are to work out (it is not work for) the salvation that is granted to us. This refers to our “doing”.

We have in the letters of the New Testament the constant exhortation to serve the Lord with zeal, doing and serving the Lord and his church with the gifts that he has given to us. Otherwise, what is the purpose of God’s gifts to the church?

As we look forward to the last day, standing before the throne of God, we all desire to hear these precious words, “Well done, GOOD and FAITHFUL SERVANT.” Is that not a compliment too about our serving and our “doing”?

Jesus once told us a parable of a wise man who built his house upon the rock against the foolish man who built his house upon the sand. The concluding lesson is this: the wise man is one who hears the word of God and OBEYS it.

While we all dwell on the subject of faith, it is always faith evident by works as expounded by the apostle James.
 
CONCLUSION
How then shall we make of the statement mentioned in the introduction? If I may, the truth is this: “God is interested in what we become as much as He is interested in what we do.” So as disciples of Jesus Christ, as God’s children, may we strive to become what God wants us to become and be found faithful and humble to do what God wants us to do as well. Let us become children of God and then live like God’s children as well.