Stainless, but Useless.

[stephen]

"Your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace" -
Ephesians 6: 15.

I recall an incident in the life of Bishop Taylor Smith, who was being entertained to dinner, and they had reached the fruit course. The Bishop had taken a piece of fruit, and picked up the fruit knife to peel it. The blade was blunt and the skin was tough, and try as he would the Bishop could make no impression at all upon the fruit that he held in his hand. So he took the fruit knife and held it, and looking at his host said, with a twinkle in his eye, "Hm, like so many Christians I know! Stainless, but useless"

I wonder how many of us really count significantly in the total fulfilment of God's purposes today. Robert Murray McCheyne's counsel, "Live so as to be missed," cannot be applied, to far too many of us. In spite of all the provision made by Christ, and in Christ; in spite of all the promised ministry of the Holy Spirit; in spite of all the privileges of the children of God, so tragically few seem to live lives that are meaningful, significant,essential, useful, in the total purpose of God's redeeming grace.

We talk about backsliders. I am inclined to leave out one letter, and talk about backsiders in the church, who seem to do nothing but sit in a pew on Sunday and that is their contribution. Occupying about one square foot of oak! As far as making a significant contribution, as far as living meaningful lives, as far as being absolutely vital in the fellowship of the church they might just as well not be there.

Is what was said in the Battle of Britain true of the Church today - "Never was so much owed by so many to so few"?

Oh let us be faithful to Jesus,
The faith we confessed let's renew,
and ask Him this question each morning:
"Lord what will you have me to do?"

 

[SpiritLedEd]

We talk about backsliders. I am inclined to leave out one letter, and talk about backsiders in the church, who seem to do nothing but sit in a pew on Sunday and that is their contribution. Occupying about one square foot of oak! As far as making a significant contribution, as far as living meaningful lives, as far as being absolutely vital in the fellowship of the church they might just as well not be there.

The people you refer to, Stephen, will - in my opinion - be among the "goats" referred to in Mt 25:41-46. They will have missed/avoided the essence of what it means to be "church"; the joy of being Jesus' hands and feet on earth meeting others' needs and drawing people to Him.

SLE

 

[Shutterbug]

I would not be surprised if there is a prevailing attitude that their walk with God is more about them. Goats can be useful, but they are renown moreso than sheep for their stubbornness. The two groups are related, but I think is that attitude thing that compels the analogy of difference.

Not passing a condescending attitude, but I can fully relate to it. It becomes that "if you're not for me, then you're against me". On Judgement Day, I'm inclined to think that what we will be judged on is whom we preferred to follow in terms of our will or His will. Just saying.

 

[james g]

Act 15:37 And Barnabas determined to take with them John, whose surname was Mark. Act 15:38 But Paul thought not good to take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the work. Act 15:39 And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus;

2Ti 4:10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. 2Ti 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

 

[4wheelpeel]

that is the great thing about Jesus, he never gives up on the non believers, and luke warm christians. thank goodness for me, i was one for years.

 

[will]

The people you refer to, Stephen, will - in my opinion - be among the "goats" referred to in Mt 25:41-46. They will have missed/avoided the essence of what it means to be "church"; the joy of being Jesus' hands and feet on earth meeting others' needs and drawing people to Him.

SLE

Maybe true, alas it is not up to us to judge whether a person in the church is part of the goats or sheeps. I believe most Christians just need a (not so gentle) reminder that they have a Great Commission to fulfill in this life. To get off our lazy (...).

For years, I didn't just sit on the pew, I actually did a lot of church activities. But inside I feel ineffective, timid, and useless. Until one day my pastor kicked me into gear through his "shove heads into the bible and hold it there" sermons, and I started to think about the Scripture, not just reading it.

And true enough as it's promised to us in 1 Cor. 2:12-14, God the Holy Spirit was faithful to illuminate my mind and heart and opened up the Scriptures like something new, one by one, those passages that I used to glanced over in the past start to unravel the threads that maps out a grand tapestry of God's plan.

It's like night and day. My vision is now clear: seek out other Christians that are stuck in idle mode, kick them into gear, and they will do the same to other Christians.

To God be the Glory for coming up with such an ingenious method of propagating His message.