Focus: Being and Doing

Text: Act.27:23

"For there STOOD BY ME this night the angel of God, WHOSE I am, and WHOM I serve."

Paul is testifying, and I see you testifying too. In his testimony, he says in effect, "When everyone forsook me, my God refused to leave my side. Indeed, my God instructed His angel to stay by and stick with me, and not even a moment did He leave my side."

God doesn't take sides with people who leave your side. In fact, He takes sides with no one at all. God doesn't join others to forsake you. He doesn't leave your side just because everyone else is doing so. God protects those who are passionate about what He is passionate about.

Are people leaving your life right now? Are you in the middle of nowhere or at the crossroads of life? Is your faith in God raising a lot of dust and causing you so much trouble? Is your life in crisis because of Christ? Just look up; there's an angel from heaven sent by God to stand by you. People may leave your life from time to time, but those who are really part of your destiny will go nowhere. John says that Jesus, "having loved his own which were in the world, he loved them to the end."

God uses some people to teach you lessons while using others to bring you blessings. Regardless of who comes or goes, just stay focused and keep loving the Lord.

*Being: the belonging part

In his testimony, Paul is saying, 'I am God's and he is mine. He owns me. He made and redeemed me. I derive my identity from Him, and in Him my destiny is defined. Jesus Christ has given my life definition, expression, and significance. In His eyes, I matter. I am who Christ says I am. I am begotten of God, and in Christ I live, move and have my being. I am forever His offspring. The gene of God runs through my system. My whole personality has been re-gene-d in Christ. That is what REGENERATION means for me. I boldly declare that the Lord is my God.'

I believe the same thing of us! In Christ we are a new creation - species that have never existed before. Christ has redeemed us from a bad past and restored our original identity and authentic destiny. For Christ's sake, we are brand new beings NOW.

*Doing: the business part

In his testimony, Paul declares, "Whom I serve." Remember Paul saying to Jesus, at the time of his conversion, "Lord, what do you want me to do?" It is not enough to be or belong to God; we should also be about what God is about. God has business to do with us. God wants our service - a service done by love and for love, a service done to express gratitude for grace bestowed, a service done for the kingdom of God, and indeed, a service rendered in hope of a future promised by God. In this service we invest every ounce of energy. We commit our time, treasure, and talent to doing the will of God. We serve with joy. We serve for future glory. We discharge divine responsibility with candor and vigor.

There's a side of being God's and a side of doing what God wants. Belonging to God naturally results in serving God. In Christ being and doing belong together. It's time for us to throw our whole weight into God's work. The Lord Jesus says, "I must be about my Father's business." In another place, He says, "The zeal of his house has consumed me." Paul instructs, "Be not slothful in business, but be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." Don't only be God's; be about God. Be up and doing for God. Make your life count for Christ. Serve God with your life and with everything that you regard as important in your life.

Don't just be a Christian; be a dutiful Christian. Be a Christ-minded Christian and a co-worker with God.

The word 'serve' has to do with work and worship intertwined. It is work in which worship is present, and worship in which work is evident.

Let's say with Paul, "Whose I am, and whom I serve." In Christ identity and destiny are forever connected. We can't 'be' and not 'do.' We are, and therefore, we do.

by Bishop Moses E. Peter