Dear brethren,

 

It has been on my mind how much God has done for us in our lives, and how often we do not truly grasp it.  Unfortunately, when someone doesn't recognize the gravity of what has been given to them, it is reflected by their choices in life, and how diligently they apply their calling.

 

Just imagine, God looked down from His throne in Heaven and determined to call us and forgive us of our sins - blot them out!  After all, who are we that God should bestow such a magnanimous gift, a gift which has been given to just a few in all the generations of human life on earth?  Who are we that God would offer eternal life, and also the opportunity to be kings and priests in the Kingdom of God?  What God is offering to an elect few is awesome beyond words!

 

God says He shows mercy to thousands who love Him and keep His commandments. (Exodus 20:6) Note, it doesn't say millions or billions, although we know it is within God's plan to extend His mercy to all who will avail themselves of it.

 

Today you are rare person on earth who has been extended this incredible mercy and favor.  Do you truly grasp it and deeply appreciate it?  Do you know what it fully entails?  At baptism all your sins were wiped cleaned, and before God due to the grace possible by the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, we as pure as the driven snow - free of sin!  

 

By God's special invitation to you and me, "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need. "  (Heb 4:16)

What is that worth to us?  How much do we truly grasp what that means?  It is reflected in what we do with our calling.   

 

Jesus gave the parable about a rich man who had a steward who was accused of wasting his goods, and the rich man demanded he give an account.  So the steward knowing he would need to have something to give to his master went out to each person who was indebted to his boss.  He went to each one and said "how much do you owe my master?", and he settled for a portion of the debt owed.

 

When it came time for him to give an account to his master he said, "And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely..."  (NKJV says the unjust steward dealt shrewdly.)

 

As a lesson to the disciples Jesus then said something quite curious, "for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light."

 

Why would Jesus use this as an example for his disciples to follow?  He certainly wasn't instructing them to be unjust as this steward.  What was the lesson then?

 

One clear lesson here is God is the master of the household, and He will one day expect an accounting for all which has been given to us.  The wise man at least was wise enough to know he had better have something to present to his master or he would be rejected as a steward.  

 

Sometimes those called of God don't know the great responsibility which comes with the mercy God has shown us.  God hasn't called us to do nothing, but to put on the garments of involvement and help with our talents to get the work of God done! 

 

Often when  we are called we can have a tendency to think, "why me? I don't' have any talents to help do the work!"

 

If we think we have no talents to help do the work, there is a danger.  When Jesus gave the parable of the talents, it was the person who claimed he had one talent who buried his talent and did not use and multiply it even though he knew his master would expect something above an beyond what he was given when he came.  Jesus said, 

"Then he who had received the one talent came and said, 'Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.'  (Matt. 25:24-25)  

 

Jesus continued, "But his lord answered and said to him, 'You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed." (Matt. 25:26)

 

Then Jesus said, "'For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. 30 And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

 

What Jesus says here is sobering to consider, but how will that impact what you and I do?  How will it impact how we apply what we hear?  Will we  recognize that God will expect something from us when Jesus Christ returns?

 

Jesus Christ says in Rev. 22:12  "And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be."

 

Please have a wonderful Sabbath!

 

Your servant and pastor,                                                        

    Jim Tuck