Day 38 - Becoming A World Class Christian
The Great Commission is your commission…
You have a choice to make, be a world class Christian, or be a worldly Christian.
A worldly Christian is someone who look to God mainly for what they can get from Him and for personal fulfillment. They are saved but full of their own agenda that may include enrichment seminars and concerts, but not be the least bit interested in missions or serving. It’s a case of the “me” generation just slapping a Christian exterior on. They say all the right things, but are really more interested in a comfortable lifestyle, and having their own needs met and use God for their own purposes instead of being used for His purposes…
Worl-class Christians know that they have been saved to serve and made with a mission. Big difference. They are excited about the privilege of being used by God. Thy feel fully alive and know that their lives make a difference. They wake up excited about the new ways God is going to use them.
Which type of Christian do you want to be?
It takes a shift in thinking to go from worldly to world-class. You have to shift from a self centered focus to thinking about others. It’s a maturing process. When we were baby Christians, we are naturally a bit self centered, because babies are just that way. We mature as we depend upon the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with His love. It’s not a job we can do on our own. It’s God’s Spirit that helps us mature.
We can also mature and become a world-class Christian as we develop global thinking. The world around us is much bigger than our own home, neighborhood, city or even country. We can start to think globally. The nations of the world are so much more available to us to see on television, read about and even visit. Our lives can make a difference to an entire nation if we open ourselves to thinking that way.
The best way to start is to simply start praying for a country. Start with ours, then branch out. Pray for the leaders to come to know Christ, for the needs to be met for the poor and homeless, that Christian laborers would be released to the harvest fields. Pray that the deceptions of the enemy would be revealed and that the truth of Christ’s finished work on the cross would go forth. Pray that God’s judgment would be held back and that his mercy would prevail.
You can also think more globally if you actually see the areas of the world that you may be praying for. Volunteer for a short term mission. Experience the other places that may not have as much as you do. It’s eye opening to see and it gives you a different perspective.
Becoming a world-class Christian also requires a shift in thinking from the short term, “here and now” to an eternal perspective. Paul said, “we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but that which is unseen. What is seen is temporary, what is not seen is eternal.” 2 Cor 4:18 This shift in a more eternal way of thinking will allow us to put things into perspective. We won’t major on the minor things. We won’t be overly concerned about the things that don’t last and really don’t matter.
How do we shift from temporary thinking to eternal? We have to daily remind ourselves that we cannot trade our lives for that which is temporary. It is a maturing process to let go of the temporary and replace it with the eternal. We have to trust that our here and now will be taken care of. Even if things don’t look like they will.
The goal to become a world-class Christian can be realized if we don’t make excuses. Shift from excuses why you can’t do it to thinking of creative ways to fulfill your commission. You are never too old, or have nothing to offer. These are just excuses. Not knowing a language is no excuse. There is no special call or voice from heaven that will direct you more than the word that has already been given. Stop making excuses to serve God and becoming a World Class Christian. Ask God to show you where you can serve. Just be willing. You may be surprised what God will do with a willing vessel.