So many
times as Christians we just meander through life without focus and purpose.
But, Christ has given us directions and goals to be reached. He has told us
that we are all members of the Kingdom of God and that as such we are to help
each other and are to share the Gospel with those who are still lost. Through hearing
the Gospel message and then repenting of their sins, Christ will give eternal life
to those who turn to and believe on Him. What is eternal life? In His High
Priestly prayer in John 17: 3 Christ said, “And
this is eternal life: [it means] to know (to perceive, recognize, become
acquainted with and understand) You (God), the only true and real God, and
[likewise] to know Him, Jesus [as the] Christ (the Anointed One, the Messiah),
Whom You have sent.” – (Amplified Bible). Anyone who believes on Christ and
repents of their sins can have eternal life.
Someday we
all will face our maker and give an accounting of our life here on earth. “… Each of us shall give an account of
himself [give an answer in reference to judgment] to God.” – (Romans 14:
12. Amplified). Our responsibilities to
Christ, though, do not stop with our acceptance of Christ as the Son of God and
our Savior. Yes, we are Saved for all eternity! But, we still have a purpose in this life
on earth. We are to live our life in such a way that we daily give God glory
and honor. But, we are to also help those who are in need: have concerns, need
emotional support, need a friend, need career help or who just need help in
learning something that can bless their lives, just to name a few of the things
that Christian mentors can do to help another person.
The Apostle
Paul explained our responsibilities as children of God in the book of Romans.
He said, “I appeal to you therefore,
brethren, and beg of you in view of [all] the mercies of God to make a decisive
dedication of your bodies [presenting all your members and faculties] as a living
sacrifice, holy (devoted, consecrated) and well pleasing to God, which is your
reasonable (rational, intelligent) service and spiritual worship.” -- (Romans 12: 1. Amplified). In other words,
as Christians, we are to dedicate our lives as a living sacrifice to God
through our service to Him and others and through our spiritual worship of God.
So, how do we go about being a living sacrifice to God?
First, we
have to understand that many people see us every day. Everything we do and say,
or that we don’t do or don’t say is a reflection of who we are. If we want to
be that living sacrifice to God, we must focus our lives with purpose to live
for God and to do whatever we can to shine Christ’s light upon the rest of the
world. God doesn't ask us to do anything that He has not prepared us to do.
This includes Active Relational Christian Mentoring. For example, if women
are to be a good Christian mothers, we should know that God has given us the
capability of being that good Christian mother. We just have to decide whether
or not we want to act upon our capabilities. Each Christian has been given the
capability of sharing the Gospel with others. But, will we? Women have also
been given the capability of helping another woman through Christian mentoring.
We just have to decide whether or not we want to act upon our capability.
Yes, one
woman may have the ability to mentor another woman on a career path. While
another woman may be able to mentor a woman on new skill she would like to
acquire. Still other women can empathize and provide emotional support to women
who are in emotional pain. Whatever the situation, though, God provides women
with the capability to help, if they are just willing to step forward and
mentor another.
The Apostle
Paul easily explained about our responsibility and capability. Paul said, “For as in one physical body we have many
parts (organs, members) and all of these parts do not have the same function or
use, So we, numerous as we are, are one body in Christ (the Messiah) and
individually we are parts of one another [mutually dependent on one another].” Paul then goes on to say that we each have
been given specific and sometimes different gifts just as the body has
different functions. He says, “Having
gifts (faculties, talents, qualities) that differ according to the grace given
us, let us use them … according to the proportion of his faith; [He whose gift
is] practical service, let him give himself to serving; he who teaches, to his
teaching; He who exhorts (encourages) to his exhortation; he who contributes,
let him do it in simplicity and liberality; he who gives aid and superintends,
with zeal and singleness of mind; he who does acts of mercy, with genuine
cheerfulness and joyful eagerness.” – (Romans 12: 4-8. Amplified).
We can all talk
about love and doing for others at certain times, but we are to be more
consistent in our love and in our helping of others. Moreover, even those of us
who feel that we are very busy, can still prioritize our lives for Christ, so
that we can find a way to actively mentor another woman. Loving others is more
than just saying that we love others. It is action! The Apostle Paul said, “[Let your] love be sincere (a real thing);
… Love one another with brotherly affection [as members of one family], giving
precedence and showing honor to one another. Never lag in zeal and in earnest
endeavor; be aglow and burning with the Spirit, serving the Lord. … Contribute
to the needs of God’s people [sharing in the necessities of the saints; pursue
the practice of hospitality. … Rejoice with those who rejoice [sharing others’
joy], and weep with those who weep [sharing others’ grief].” – (Romans 12:
9-11, 13, 15. Amplified).
By being
there for other Christians and by setting an example of Christian love for
those who have yet to come to know Christ, we are living our lives with purpose
and with responsibility to our Lord and Savior.
Furthermore, we are to “… endeavor
never to put a stumbling block or an obstacle or hindrance in the way of a
brother.” – (Romans 14: 13. Amplified). But, it isn't just our brothers and sisters in Christ that we are not to hinder. We also do not want to put any
obstacle in front of a non-Christian that could keep them from turning to
Christ. This means that we have to shine our Christ-light on all. We have to be
true Christians who daily serve God; living with purpose and responsibility as
we glorify and worship the Lord.
“As each of you has received a gift (a
particular spiritual talent, a gracious divine endowment), employ it for one
another as [befits] good trustees of God’s many-sided grace [faithful stewards
of the extremely diverse powers and gifts granted to Christians by unmerited
favor].” – (I Peter 4: 10.
Amplified). These gifts and abilities have been given to each Christian so that
we can do the work that God has for us to do. As Christians, we cannot shirk
our responsibility toward God and His Kingdom. For, we all will be held
accountable for our actions or lack thereof. Most Christians will find that
they will have opportunities to actively mentor either another Christian sister
or a woman who needs to hear about Christ. We cannot let opportunities pass us
by. Although we may quickly forget the shirking of our responsibility, the Lord
will not. I don’t know about you, but I want to someday hear, “Well done, my
good and faithful servant!” To hear those words, I must take every opportunity
that God gives me to help other women through ARCM and to shine the light of
Christ out upon the world. Remember, God is with us and we are never alone in
our endeavors to speak up for the Kingdom of God. You can do it! You can
actively mentor another woman for the Lord.
No comments:
Post a Comment