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THE BATTLE FOR LIFE - PERSEVERANCE 2

Part two of Brian Allenby’s latest series from The Word on Work

"Faith is: dead to doubts, dumb to discouragements, blind to impossibilities."

We’re in the fast lane, because that is the place to be in today’s world of work. If we are not in the fast lane then there is a fear that we may not make it with the company. That is where it all starts.

I remember a particular church business meeting when I was brought down to earth by one of our older members who, after listening very patiently to me for several minutes, stood up quietly and asked me in a very gracious way to quieten down and stop using my boardroom tactics in a church business meeting.

I hadn’t realised that I had simply defaulted to 'work mode', because we were talking business. The fact that it was the Lord’s business had somehow passed me by.

In business we spend a lot of time running ahead of ourselves, trying to outmanoeuvre and out-think the competition! But when we come into the Kingdom business and Kingdom life, there are important differences. Self-interest moves over and a new priority looms large – the glory of God!

When we reflect upon the glory of God, we should realise something very important – we can’t divide the secular and spiritual life into two separate identities.

Paul says to the Corinthians: "Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God." This is why we often find ourselves in conflict with ourselves and those around us! We are running at two different levels; one keeping pace with the world and the other trying to live in the will of God – but we soon discover that neither is compatible with the other.

Here’s another self-test, which deals with these issues:

Test 2: Am I rushing headlong into something, or am I willing to wait?

We know that faith and patience always work together. The Scriptures say: "Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed". Isaiah 28:16 reads: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation, the one who trusts will never be dismayed."

If we were to translate the word 'dismay' literally, we would have the words "comfortably unhurried". I like the notion of being comfortably unhurried, but it doesn’t ever seem to fit well with my way of life! The believer who waits upon the Lord for His leading and working out will not be disappointed or ashamed. True faith never hurries until God opens the way.

This thought hit me slap in the face as I prepared these notes, for I am indeed a most impulsive and impetuous person. If you find yourself rushing ahead of the Lord’s leading beware! Because you are acting in fleshly unbelief instead of in true spiritual faith! Slow down, because Paul warned the Romans:"Whatever is not from faith is sin". That’s something else I had not considered too carefully!

If you are still not convinced that you are acting out of self-interest, then here is another test:

Test 3: Can I defend what I am doing from the Word of God?

The Bible, the Word of God is our journal of life. True faith is always grounded in the Word of God.

"Consequently, faith comes through hearing the message and the message is heard through the Word of Christ." Romans 10:17.

No matter how reasonable or logical our actions may seem or appear to us, if what we are doing contradicts the Word of God, we are not doing it by faith.
The Bible gives us life principles, which have to be obeyed. It also gives us promises for us to claim, and blessings in abundance. But if we violate these things, we are acting in unbelief and not in faith.

Friends may encourage us in our actions and circumstances may seem to favour us. But if we are disobeying the Word of God, we are not acting in faith and we are not keeping the faith. This means that God cannot bless us or use us to bring glory to His name.

It all reminds me of the story about the young lad who was seen several times by a policeman riding around the same block on his tricycle. He had a knapsack on his back and full bags on both sides of his handlebars. Curious, the policeman asked the young lad what he was doing. The boy replied: "I’ve run away from home, but my mummy says that I must not cross the street!"

Keep the faith!

Brian Allenby
Christians at Work
PO Box 1746, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 3ZS
Telephone: 01788-579738
E-mail: office@christiansatwork.org.uk

© Christian Family Network
is run by CPO, supported by
Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting,
Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.


		TEACHING THE BATTLE FOR LIFE - PERSEVERANCE 2 Part two of Brian Allenby’s latest series from The Word on Work "Faith is: dead to doubts, dumb to discouragements, blind to impossibilities." We’re in the fast lane, because that is the place to be in today’s world of work. If we are not in the fast lane then there is a fear that we may not make it with the company. That is where it all starts. I remember a particular church business meeting when I was brought down to earth by one of our older members who, after listening very patiently to me for several minutes, stood up quietly and asked me in a very gracious way to quieten down and stop using my boardroom tactics in a church business meeting. I hadn’t realised that I had simply defaulted to 'work mode', because we were talking business. The fact that it was the Lord’s business had somehow passed me by. In business we spend a lot of time running ahead of ourselves, trying to outmanoeuvre and out-think the competition! But when we come into the Kingdom business and Kingdom life, there are important differences. Self-interest moves over and a new priority looms large – the glory of God! When we reflect upon the glory of God, we should realise something very important – we can’t divide the secular and spiritual life into two separate identities. Paul says to the Corinthians: "Whether therefore you eat, or drink, or whatever you do, do it all to the glory of God." This is why we often find ourselves in conflict with ourselves and those around us! We are running at two different levels; one keeping pace with the world and the other trying to live in the will of God – but we soon discover that neither is compatible with the other. Here’s another self-test, which deals with these issues: Test 2: Am I rushing headlong into something, or am I willing to wait? We know that faith and patience always work together. The Scriptures say: "Whoever believes in Him will not be disappointed". Isaiah 28:16 reads: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation, the one who trusts will never be dismayed." If we were to translate the word 'dismay' literally, we would have the words "comfortably unhurried". I like the notion of being comfortably unhurried, but it doesn’t ever seem to fit well with my way of life! The believer who waits upon the Lord for His leading and working out will not be disappointed or ashamed. True faith never hurries until God opens the way. This thought hit me slap in the face as I prepared these notes, for I am indeed a most impulsive and impetuous person. If you find yourself rushing ahead of the Lord’s leading beware! Because you are acting in fleshly unbelief instead of in true spiritual faith! Slow down, because Paul warned the Romans:"Whatever is not from faith is sin". That’s something else I had not considered too carefully! If you are still not convinced that you are acting out of self-interest, then here is another test: Test 3: Can I defend what I am doing from the Word of God? The Bible, the Word of God is our journal of life. True faith is always grounded in the Word of God. "Consequently, faith comes through hearing the message and the message is heard through the Word of Christ." Romans 10:17. No matter how reasonable or logical our actions may seem or appear to us, if what we are doing contradicts the Word of God, we are not doing it by faith. The Bible gives us life principles, which have to be obeyed. It also gives us promises for us to claim, and blessings in abundance. But if we violate these things, we are acting in unbelief and not in faith. Friends may encourage us in our actions and circumstances may seem to favour us. But if we are disobeying the Word of God, we are not acting in faith and we are not keeping the faith. This means that God cannot bless us or use us to bring glory to His name. It all reminds me of the story about the young lad who was seen several times by a policeman riding around the same block on his tricycle. He had a knapsack on his back and full bags on both sides of his handlebars. Curious, the policeman asked the young lad what he was doing. The boy replied: "I’ve run away from home, but my mummy says that I must not cross the street!" Keep the faith! Brian Allenby Christians at Work PO Box 1746, Rugby, Warwickshire CV21 3ZS Telephone: 01788-579738 E-mail: office@christiansatwork.org.uk © Christian Family Network is run by CPO, supported by Care for the Family, Marriage Resource, Positive Parenting, Care, Women Alive, Christian Herald and many others.