“Am I really about my Father’s business”?

I hear many people make a similar statement about doing the work and will of God our Father. But is it truth?

My Heavenly Fathers business encompasses far more than church attendance, Bible Study and an occasional mission trip. Being about My Fathers Business is an everyday event. It involves caring for the needy, Jesus not only healed the physical needs, but the spiritual needs of those He encountered. Matthew 14:14 As He stepped ashore, He saw a huge crowd, felt compassion for them, and healed their sick. Luke 7:47-48 Therefore I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven; that's why she loved much. But the one who is forgiven little, loves little." Then He said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."  Also see; Isaiah 58

Of the utmost of importance in being about my Fathers business is our total surrender to God. When the Lord revealed His glory to Isaiah, the prophet offered himself up completely (Isaiah 6:8); Paul submitted his whole self to Christ on the Damascus road; even Jesus, our ultimate example, daily surrendered to His Father's will (John 5:19). A life of surrender says, "Lord, whatever You want, whenever, wherever and however You want it, my answer is yes."

Willing sacrifice is part of being a follower

In Be Joyful, Warren Wiersbe tells the story of a missionary attending a religious festival in Brazil.  "As he went from booth to booth checking out the wares he observed a sign above one booth: “Cheap crosses.”  The missionary thought; that's what many Christian are looking for today—cheap crosses. "

Almost on a daily basis we come in contact with people who have both physical and spiritual needs. Most of the time we pay little or no attention to these needs. When we do take notice we are apt to offer a quick prayer, a word of consolation and at the most a promise of future help. Is this what Christ would have done? If it is not then how can we be about our Fathers business?

Let me give you an example. I know a man who is a licensed electrician, plumber, and general contractor. He also holds a Masters Degree in building construction. He knows all about building, he can tell you how to build anything from a birdhouse to a high-rise building. But he has never installed the first wiring circuit, plumbing pipe, nail, screw, bolt, concrete or steel in a building. Yet he has all the knowledge of how to do them.

Many Christians are like this; they have spent a lifetime memorizing scripture, they are glorified by the attendance records the hold for never or seldom missing a Sunday in church. They have all the knowledge to teach, counsel and some even stand in the pulpit and preach. Yet them and the man I know have only one thing in common, a lot of knowledge, and zero experience. The man holds a degree which only shows he has the knowledge about something. A Christian holds salvation, and church membership that shows they have knowledge about Gods mercy and grace.  But both are of no use to anyone but “self”. If knowledge is not imparted through action it is useless. A person who holds all knowledge, yet does nothing with it is no better than the man who holds none. Both knowledge and faith must be put into action to test their validity.

James 2:17-20 In the same way faith, if it doesn't have works, is dead by itself.

James 2:18 But someone will say, "You have faith, and I have works." Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith from my works.

James 2:19 You believe that God is one; you do well. The demons also believe--and they shudder.

James 2:20 Foolish man! Are you willing to learn that faith without works is useless?

Christ’s life should be an example we emulate, when he made the statement Luke 2:49 How is it that ye sought me? wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business? As translated in the KJV, more modern translations are:

Luke 2:49

(ASV)  And he said unto them, How is it that ye sought me? knew ye not that I must be in my Father's house?

(CEV)  Jesus answered, "Why did you have to look for me? Didn't you know that I would be in my Father's house?"

(GNB)  He answered them, "Why did you have to look for me? Didn't you know that I had to be in my Father's house?"

(GW)  Jesus said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Didn't you realize that I had to be in my Father's house?"

(HCSB)  "Why were you searching for Me?" He asked them. "Didn't you know that I had to be in my Father's house?"

(ISV)  He said to them, "Why were you looking for me? Didn't you know that I had to be in my Father's house?" 

(LITV)  And He said to them, Why did you look for me? Did you not know that I must be busy in the affairs of My Father? 

(MSG)  He said, "Why were you looking for me? Didn't you know that I had to be here, dealing with the things of my Father?"

My personal belief is that Jesus was doing a lot of listening to see how Gods word was being interpreted. If one compares Christ’s words and actions to the Old Testament Words God gave to the Prophets you will find that most of what He said and did had already been given of God. We as the religious leaders of Jerusalem often believe we are serving God; when in reality we are only being self-serving of our own desires.

Matthew 7:24-27 Christ told us to weigh the cost of following Him.

The Wise and Foolish Builders

    ²⁴"Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. ²⁵The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. ²⁶But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. ²⁷The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

From The Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren writes Offering yourself to God is what worship is all about. One chapter made me reflect back to 1993 when Romans 12:1-2 became a reality to me. For years I have made a constant choice to remain a living offering to God; all the while knowing I could squirm off the alter and do as I chose.

The counterfeit of obedience is when you create your own opportunities to serve and worship God. Your excitement is mistaken for discernment. It is easier to serve on your own terms than to follow the will of God as intended in Romans 12:1-2

We each need to look at the relationship we have with God. Is it just a religious relationship, where we pick and choose what, when, who and how we serve? Or is your relationship one where you “listen” to what God is asking you to do, and without reservation or hesitation do it?

We must be about our Fathers business as Christ, Ananias, Paul and all those who heard the Lords voice and surrendered their lives to Him. We cannot do works we call ministry or missions without involving Gods calling, guidance and provision. Only those things done at His direction and His way will matter when the time comes to give accountability for how we were "about His business"; everything we did without Him will count as nothing. 1 Corinthians 3:13-15

I leave you with these words from Oswald Chambers. It is easier to serve or work for God without a vision and without a call, because then you are not bothered by what He requires. Common sense, covered with a layer of Christian emotion, becomes your guide. You may be more prosperous and successful from the world’s perspective, and you will have more leisure time, if you never acknowledge the call of God. But once you receive a commission from Jesus Christ, the memory of what God ask of you will always be there to prod you on to do His will. You will no longer be able to work for Him on the basis of common sense.

Clyde   

Need Jesus Here's How To Get Him

Back to Top

Home

Site Hosted by

Copyright 1999-2005 © All rights reserved