THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS - Pt. III

THE CONSTRUCTION PROCESS - Pt. III

The Psalmist David penned this powerful praise admonition: “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all HIS BENEFITS.” (Psalm 103:2)  David advised believers never to develop ‘spiritual amnesia’ regarding the manifold blessings of God.  Exactly what is a BENEFIT?  A benefit promotes personal well-being or advantage.  In this connection, a job-seeker might conclude ‘I did not accept such-and-such job because it had NO BENEFITS.’  Currently, many corporations are apt to hire part-time employees because they want to avoid providing costly benefits.  Compensation may be defined as not only one’s hourly wage or annual salary, but as one’s monetary paycheck PLUS other corporate benefits, e.g. healthcare, sick leave, vacation days, holidays, savings, pensions, etc.

In my endeavor to define a superlative compensation program, I cannot help but reflect on the PHENOMENAL BENEFITS that are an integral component of working for OUR LORD.  Jesus Christ sets forth an employment offer that wise persons can scarcely refuse: “Go ye also into the vineyard; and WHATSOEVER IS RIGHT, that shall ye receive.” (Matthew 20:7)  Without hesitation, we can depend upon HIS WORD!  Peter questioned the compensatory value of working in the Kingdom when he asked Jesus ‘What’s in it for US?’  Christ’s response: “Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or parents, or brethren, or wife, or children, for the kingdom of God’s sake, who shall not receive manifold more in this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting.” (Luke 18:29-30)  Unquestionably, it pays to serve Jesus!  KINGDOM BENEFITS are limitless and incomparable.  Yet, God entitles us to these incredible Kingdom benefits, even though we are still engaged in the CONSTRUCTION PROCESS.  Although our ‘buildings’ are demonstrably incomplete, HE DECLARES US TO BE “the righteousness of God” and assures us that we stand complete in Him.  (Romans 3:20-22 and Colossians 2:10)  Wow!  What a marvelous and mighty God!

Consider this intriguing fact.  It is possible to be employed by a Fortune 500 corporation and yet be denied benefits due to sheer personal ignorance about personnel perks that are free and available upon request.  To avoid this, major corporations publish detailed employee manuals outlining their compensation programs.  Should employees fail to read and/or understand the manual, extraordinary benefits could become inaccessible to parties who have every right to receive them.  Likewise, all Christian believers are provided more-than-generous benefits that are rendered available and accessible to us reading and honoring THE WORD.  Nevertheless, many live far beneath their privileges and experience difficulty, delay and denial of benefits, simply due to “lack of knowledge.” (Hosea 4:6)

There are other impediments that block the receiving of divine benefits, including our reliance on our sensory perceptions and reasoning faculties.  In truth, believing and receiving God’s promises is diametrically opposite to our natural knowledge and common sense.  Why?  “We walk by faith, not by sight.” (II Corinthians 5:7)  Allow me to cite the example of a Pittsburgh man who was miraculously converted from his association with Jehovah’s Witnesses.  His child had been born with club feet, and while he attended a Pentecostal church service, the young boy was instantaneously healed.  The following week, the father attended a meeting at Jehovah’s Witness Kingdom Hall and reported enthusiastically how GOD had fully restored his child’s feet.  Since this group does not subscribe to faith in divine healing, its leaders immediately intervened and rebuked the man, saying “The devil did that, not God!”  Here is what the father of the healed child replied: “I don’t know how YOUR GOD works…but MY GOD loves my son as much as I love my son…and MY GOD HEALED HIM!”  The Word clearly provides for our healing, but too often we fail to receive it because we are too sense-oriented, too logical, or too loaded down with unbelief. (Isaiah 53:5 and Malachi 4:2)

In light of David’s praise admonition (Psalm 103:2)...what are some SPECIFIC BENEFITS that Kingdom employees may enjoy, those persons who fully covenant with the Living Word of God?

Kingdom Principle Number One: AS KINGDOM STEWARDS, WE ARE IN DIRECT PARTNERSHIP WITH GOD.  If you really think about it, this is a fascinating benefit.  We redeemed lumps of mere clay are called into covenant, relationship, and yes, even full partnership with Almighty God, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, the Lord of Heaven and earth.  How could this possibly be?  In other words, “What is man that thou are mindful of him, and the son of man that thou visitest him?” (Psalm 8:4)  Yet, despite our mortal weaknesses and character flaws, God crowns us with glory and honor.  In case you are not yet aware, our glory and honor rises solely from our association with HIM.  When we honor God, He in turn honors us.  We are gratified and overwhelmed by these awesome acts of amazing grace.  In spite of the indisputable fact that believers are works-in-progress, GOD graciously labels us (unabashedly and unashamedly) as “HIS WORKMANSHIP” and empowers us with the capacity to grow, develop, mature and conform to the IMAGE OF CHRIST. (Ephesians 2:10 and Romans 8:29)

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!  Stay tuned…more to come tomorrow!