How do we measure up?

Wrapping up the “Good Measure” series this week…we are challenged to “use” what we receive.  Pastor Brent’s football illustration was helpful, asking, “Are you a player or are you a spectator?”  He mentioned that in a church our size it is easy to just come and take it all in and assume that “someone else will do it.”  We can always come up with excuses why not to be involved in ministry, but aren’t you glad that Jesus didn’t sit back and wait for “someone else to do it?”

Regarding our excuses… I have often been challenged by the statement that “God is not so much concerned with our ‘ability’ as with our availability.”

Pastor Gary keyed on the word “use” in Luke 6:36. “The measure you use…” The word “use” implies some action that needs to be taken, and the message of Luke 6:36 is for all believers. So what action am I taking to exercise my faith? From the passage in James, Pastor exposed the real issue that if there is no action (service, ministry) resulting from our faith, then there really is no faith there.

The scripture and application that got my attention was Galatians 5:6 , ”The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love…” …and He calls on us to be that expression. How should we respond to the call?

“I am one and only one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. What I can do, I ought do. And what I ought do, by the grace of God, I will do.”
~ Anonymous

Sign me up!