"In the evening of life we will be judged on love alone." -- John of the Cross
"On the last day when we stand before the risen Christ, each of us will be the sum of our choices." -- Brennan Manning, The Signature of Jesus
So, I started writing this blog about risk in the Christian walk a while ago, but it sat in my "under construction" folder because it seemed kind of pushy or preachy. And I certainly didn't want to "risk" appearing either of those. Then the following blog titles showed up in my inbox: Hope for today: be ready …, Are you ready?, Are You Running the Race?
Whoa! Is that a big enough nudge? So, here is my pushy blog. I'm starting with some words from John Wesley.
And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
"[Matthew] 25:30 Cast ye the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness - For what? what had he done? It is true he had not done good. But neither is he charged with doing any harm. Why, for this reason, for barely doing no harm, he is consigned to outer darkness. He is pronounced a wicked, because he was a slothful, an unprofitable servant. So mere harmlessness, on which many build their hope of salvation, was the cause of his damnation! There shall be the weeping - Of the careless thoughtless sinner; and the gnashing of teeth - Of the proud and stubborn. The same great truth, that there is no such thing as negative goodness, is in this chapter shown three times: In the parable of the virgins; In the still plainer parable of the servants, who had received the talents; and in a direct unparabolical declaration of the manner wherein our Lord will proceed at the last day. The several parts of each of these exactly answers each other, only each rises above the preceding." -- John Wesley, Wesley's Notes on the Bible [emphasis mine]
"There is no such thing as negative goodness." We can't just sit there and be harmless and be a Christ follower. That is not what our Lord calls us to. We must invest ourselves. Like the investments the profitable servants made.
What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. James 2:14-17 (ESV)
For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. James 2:26 (ESV)
"James is not saying that our works make us righteous before God but that real saving faith is demonstrated by good works. Works are not the cause of salvation; works are the evidence of salvation. Faith in Christ always results in good works." -- Got Questions https://www.gotquestions.org/faith-without-works-dead.html
Like the seed planted in the ground that dies to bring new life. We need to take the risk to follow. For each of us taking that risk means something different. Every day. For some, it is selling everything and going to Africa to be a missionary. For others, it's going outside when we see our neighbor in their backyard and talking to them, befriending them. For some, it is clicking the "publish" button. For the introverted and the traumatized stepping out can indeed seem risky and scary.
Whatever it is, it is commanded, directed, empowered by love - our love of God, but mostly by His love for the world bursting in our hearts and pouring forth. Then the strength and the words and whatever else is needed is provided by our great God who meets all need.
"When we are seized by the power of a great affection, we are empowered with the courage to risk. The Spirit sets us free from our self-imposed limits and moves us out into uncharted waters. Our secure, well-regulated, and largely risk-free lives are blown apart ... This false sense of self, brimming with pride and pretense, must die if we are to live. The constant challenge in this life we call Christian is the translation of what we believe into our day-to-day lifestyle. Risky business!" -- Brennan Manning, The Signature of Jesus [emphasis mine]
Am I ready? Am I running the race?
Lord, help me to translate what I believe into my day-to-day lifestyle. Show me how to step out into your positive goodness that I might hear your words, "Well done, good and faithful servant!"
For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink, I was a stranger and you took Me in, I was naked and you clothed Me, I was sick and you looked after Me, I was in prison and you visited Me. Matthew 25:35-36
Come, follow me ….
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