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Bible Will I Find: My Obligation To The Lord's Church? By: Gary Colley
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Bible Will I Find: My Obligation To The Lord's Church? By: Gary Colley
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The word “obligation” is of high importance to all the living. Especially is this true because “we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men” (II Cor.5:10-11). Obligation also suggest responsibility, accountability, and liability. Before the judgment seat of Christ the books of law under which we lived will be opened, and also the book of life in which are recorded all of our life’s works (Rev.20:12). Since the Lord built His church for those needing to be saved, and purchased this body with His precious blood, all shall answer for the way they have discharged their obligation to His church (Acts 2:38-41; Matt.16:18-19; Acts 20:28). Let us never forget that we cannot be saved just anywhere we may feel is right, but that He only promises to save those in His body (Eph.1:22-23; 5:23). We will be tested in that last great day concerning our love for His kingdom or church. Some of the questions to be answered will be: 1. Did we by faith, repentance, confession, and baptism for the remission of sins, enter into Christ where salvation is found and eternity promised? (Jn.8:24; Lk.13:3,5; Matt.10:32-33; Mk.16:15-16). 2. Did we love the church for which Jesus died above all else in the world, giving it our time, interest, and loyalty to the spread of the Gospel? (Eph.5:25). 3. Did we give the church first place in our lives? (Matt.6:33). Does our family recognize that we have loved the church of Christ above our pleasure, livelihood, school work, and family? (Matt.10:37). 4. Did we attend all of the services of the church because we love the Lord, and are grateful for His love? (Jn.3:16; Heb.10:25). 5. Did we put away sin from our lives, and live an upright, honest, and clean lives in the Lord’s service? (Rom.12:1-2; Tit.2:11-12). 6. Did we defend the Lord’s church and the Gospel at every opportunity? (Jude 3; Phil.1:17; Gal.2:4-5). 6. Did we pray for the church of Christ out of our love for the body of Christ, His bride? (I Thess.5:17; Eph.6:18). 8. Did we use our talents to the fullest of our ability and opportunity, in the advancement of Truth? (Matt.25:14-30; Jn.8:31-32). 9. Did we take seriously the command of our Lord to go into all of the world preaching the Gospel, either carrying it ourselves and by supporting others to go and preach? (Mk.16:15-16). 10. Did we as good stewards of God, use the blessings given us by God to generously support the church of Christ with our financial support? (I Cor.16:1-2; II Cor.9:6-7). Are we meeting our obligations to the Lord?--Gary Colley