First Baptist
Church of Vineland, NJ
Welcoming, Witnessing &
Winning for the Kingdom of God
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First Baptist
Church of Vineland, NJ
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It was quite a sprawling auto assembly plant. As I walked along the clamoring assembly line, I saw large sheets of steel being shoved into a giant press. As the huge hammer of the press came down with a thud, the sheets of steel were stamped in the exact likeness of the press' die. The metal sheets then became a very important part of each automobile. So it is with each one of us. We are made in God's likeness and are also a very important part of His plan for the world. Too often we forget the importance He has placed on our lives and that we are to "walk worthy of the Lord." As I continued through the plant I came to the body department. Here doors were being installed and adjusted on the auto bodies. If a door refused to fit properly, a workman skillfully corrected the problem. So it is with you and me as believers in Christ and in God's kingdom. Sometimes through rebellion we do not fit properly into His program. As a result, we may fail to carry out another very significant purpose He has for our lives. For instance - witnessing! The last words Jesus spoke before His ascension was to encourage His disciples to witness. Luke faithfully records these words, "...and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem-Judea-Samaria-and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8) What happens if we fail to witness - if we refuse to fit into His plans? Like the auto door, there must be an adjustment or a conforming to His will. That, of course, means chastisement. Job's words come to mind. During his sufferings, Job's mind turned with complete faith toward God as he stated "Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth; therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty." (Job 5:17) Certainly God's chastisement is seldom welcomed, yet sometimes is necessary to help us fit into His plans as a witness for Him. Are you carrying out His important purpose in your life? As I continued the tour, I finally came to the end of the line. Here I found an inspector stood and as the sparkling new automobiles rolled off the line, he would inspect each one for any defects. IF the car was satisfactory, he would place his stamp of approval on the vehicle and send it on for immediate use. So each individual must also come to the end of the line - the conclusion of life. The Great Inspector, Jesus, will be waiting. Will He place His stamp of approval on your life and say "Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you..." (Matthew 25:34) Or, will he say, "I never knew you, depart from me..." (Matthew 7:23) We need to seek God's stamp of approval on our lives. As we do let us remember that we are an important cog in His creation. The gift of His Son to save mankind leaves no doubt in our minds as to His great compassion for us. May we strive daily to fulfill His eternal plans by humbly walking with Him and to live so that others may recognize His dependence upon us for witnessing to all who we have opportunity. You are really important in God's Kingdom - Let's show the world His love! Until next month - God bless. Pastor Bob
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