Anchored Up!

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.”  Ephesians 2:10

   Approximately fifteen times in the New Testament, believers are encouraged to do good works so that our Father in Heaven might be glorified.  The Body of Christ (The Church) has done a very good job for the most part of doing good works inside and outside the church.  It feels good to help people.  It truly is better to give than to receive.  BUT, if we are not extremely careful, the good works will dominate the life of believers and allow us to become complacent in our true calling.  We have been given a Great Commission which states: 

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:19-20

   Too often, we as believers, have chosen to bake a cake, mow a yard, send flowers, or perform some type of help for a neighbor, but somehow never get around to actually sharing the Gospel message.  I just read of a major denomination performing all types of community service in the city where they were holding their annual meeting. The article talked about how blessed they felt to have met so many needs while they were attending the meeting.  But not once in the article did it mention that the Gospel message was ever shared.  More than likely it was shared with the community, but the article just reinforces my belief that we tend to choose the easy route rather than share words of life.  People need our help.  We need to give our help.  But the greatest need in any life is to have a personal relationship with the living Lord Jesus.  Maybe this will help direct our intentional evangelism efforts.  What if the neighbor whom you raked their leaves last week were to die tomorrow?  While attending the funeral would you be comforted with the fact that you helped their home look better or would you be grieving that you chose not to share Jesus with them.

   The Bible instructs us to let our lights shine with good works, but not at the expense of never telling them the greatest story ever told.  Friendship evangelism methods are Biblical, but so are telling our friends about Jesus the Christ.