Tony Clark's Page

If you are a church-going, born-again Christian, why do you do the things you do?

 The fact is that many church-goers make all kinds of sacrifices in order to support the local church.  In order for the normal church to maintain its regular operations, someone has to clean the church building.  Someone has to teach Sunday School.  There are people who lead singing, preach, teach, evangelize, play musical instruments, electronically record services, cook, help the poor, and so many other things. 

We should not overlook the fact that church members often give a fair amount of hard-earned money to the church as well.

 If you go to church, why do you go to church?  If you go to church to be recognized by others, you are going to church for the wrong reason.  If you go to church in order to show off your nice clothes, nice car, or how much money you have, you are going for the wrong reason.  If you go to church merely out of habit or to give you something to do, you are doing it for the wrong reason.

 Whenever we do anything -- including serving the church -- we should do it to honor and glorify Christ.  

 The problem is that Christians have a tendency to forget why they do what they do!  This not only applies to young Christians, but also to Christians who have been saved for a long time.  Sometimes, we can become so wrapped up in the details, that we can lose sight of the big picture.  

 Jesus said, "...If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." (Matthew 16:24).

 Jesus did not say to take up our cross and follow your pastor, deacon, or god-fearing family member.  He said that we should take up our crosses, and follow Christ.

 Why should we follow Christ?  Did he not die for our sins on the cross?  He suffered the shame and physical pain of the scourging,  the crown of thorns on his head, and the buffeting.  They spit upon him, nailed him to the cross, and crucified him.  While we were sinners and enemies of God, he died for us!  Christ is without sin, and is worthy of all honor.  Whereas most people will lead you wrong from time to time, Christ will never lead you wrong.  Many people think of Jesus as Savior -- which is true.  Is he not also our Lord?  Is he not also our master?  Christ is worthy of all exaltation!  I dare you to try to lift up Christ too high.  You cannot!  You could say that he is Creator God, and you would be right.  He is the alpha and omega, the beginning and the end.  He is without sin and perfectly holy.  He is the way, the truth, and the life.  He healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, walked on the water, and rose from the dead!  He is worthy of all honor and glory.

 When we do anything, we should live for Christ.  If we are working our secular jobs, we should do it unto Christ.  If we go shopping, pay bills, read to our kids, or watch the news on TV, we should do it to honor Christ.  

Living for Christ is man's true purpose.  I imagine an old man near the edge of death and looking back on his life.  At that point, how much money he earned will not matter to him.  How many PhD's he earned will not matter.  The only thing that will matter is if he knew and served Christ.  

 For those of you who have been born-again, ask yourself the question -- Am I living for Christ?  The only true and lasting purpose in life is to reject self and to glorify Christ.  Besides Jesus, none of us are really worth bragging on anyway.