Every Christian’s Job
When a person becomes a Christian, he or she makes a commitment to God. That commitment is to do the job of a Christian. Unfortunately, not all Christians understand what their “job” is. This is not to say they have not been instructed as to how to become a Christian, just that they haven’t received the proper training needed to understand what God expects of them afterward.
The place to begin is with the Great Commission. In Matthew 28:18-20 while talking to His apostles, Jesus said: All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. This passage has been taught many times, and more often than not, the focus is on initial teaching and baptizing, and not the teaching that is to follow baptism. This initial teaching is where the instruction to “become a Christian” comes in. The first area of teaching is important as one must become before they can be. Following this, a “babe” in Christ is to be taught; fed and nourished with the Word of God. This is so they can grow as a Christian. (1Peter 2:2) As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: One who has been born into the kingdom should certainly want to be fruitful in the kingdom.
Those in the kingdom (the church) who aren’t properly instructed in the Word cannot be fruitful – cannot win souls for Christ. This is why the second teaching of the Commission is so important. Go! Teach! Baptize! & Teach! To fulfill part of the Commission and leave off the latter part is to leave part of the “job” undone. Some know how that would affect our relationship with our earthly employer. What does this do to us spiritually?
Every Christian is to be a teacher and an evangelist. In 1Timothy 4:11 Paul was directed to write to this young preacher: These things command and teach. However, what one teaches others is of utmost importance. The “job” every Christian has is that of a teacher and an evangelist, but if they are not properly taught, they cannot teach others as they should. Previously in the first letter to Timothy, it was pointed out in 1Timothy 1:3 that “what is taught” is very important. As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, To not teach, or to teach the wrong things is detrimental to the soul of the teacher and the student.
One of the things every Christian is to be taught is that he or she is the one that is responsible for their soul’s eternal destination. No one can be lost or save for you and no one can do your work for you. That includes your study, or your evangelism. This is perhaps why the Spirit had the apostle Paul, in Philippians 2:12 warn them that they had a solemn responsibility toward God and for their own benefit. Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. This is in direct opposition to the “toiling” done by those of 2Thessalonians 3:11, and many even today. These spend a lot of effort involved in gossip, busywork, and other activities that does them, and those with whom they come in contact, no good whatsoever. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
The job of the Christian was what Jesus stated in Luke 19:10 while talking to Zacchaeus. He said: For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. We must understand that we as Christians can save no one. But, we can teach them, and by so doing, lead them to salvation. We can only do this through the scriptures. In 2Timothy 3:15 we are told how the young preacher Timothy had been led to salvation. And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. This was done through the efforts of two Christians, his mother and grandmother. When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also. (2Timothy 1:5)
It is also the “job” of every Christian to “work at” looking out for their own souls. This also can only be accomplished by looking into, doing, and continuing to do what God says in His Word, as James 1:25 tells us. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. Those who don’t do this will not be blessed or saved.
How are you doing at your job as a Christian? Are you in danger of being separated from God because of your lack of performance? Isn’t it about time to get serious about our work as the children of God? Our soul’s eternal salvation depends upon it. Help someone see the truth! Teach them how to become a Christian! Your life will be richer for it, and so will theirs. Time to go to work!
Dennis Strickland – Mooresville church of Christ
