All or nothing

April 20, 2007

By Jerry Scott

I’m intrigued by gadgets, the things that make life easier (sometimes). Motors and machines fascinate me. When I was a kid I tore apart every mechanical toy I ever had just to “see how it works.” I can stand for hours watching an operator of a giant machine move tons of earth with just a flick of his wrist, harnessing the power of a big diesel engine matched to gears and hydraulic lifts. I’ve taken apart and rebuilt dozens of personal computers to find the inoperable component and replace it.

A giant bulldozer, an automobile or a laptop computer are complex machines made of many parts, each of which must be functioning as designed if the whole device is to work well. One little component not functioning ruins the integrity of the machine!

The Christian life is a series of interconnected choices and values. We cannot enjoy the power of God and His blessings and promises without an integration of the life of the Spirit in our thoughts, words and actions. Let me illustrate.

Love is an important part of what Jesus taught us about living in a way that pleases God. But if we want to please God and reap the benefit of a loving life, our love cannot be selectively practiced when it is convenient or easy. God says our love must function for the lovely and the unlovely, when we are rested and when we are fatigued, when we are full of peace and when we are under great stress.

Worship is a critical part of the Christian life. When we worship we connect with God and the Spirit renews our inner person, strengthening us. Again, we cannot enjoy the full benefit of worship if we only worship on Sunday morning and forget God on the Monday morning commute. We will not experience the steady flow of the Spirit’s renewal if we worship only when things go wrong or when it’s raining or when there is no football game to attend or … you get the point.

Tithing (generous giving of our resources to God’s work) is a means of breaking the slavery to our ‘stuff.’ A person who learns to practice the discipline of giving (time and material) gains a generous heart and a richer life. But if he only gives when he has “enough,” or only serves when he “has the time,” he breaks the process that could transform his life. The whole principle of tithing and giving only produces the benefit of a generous life when it is consistently practiced all of the time.

Perhaps you find my comparison of the Christian life to a machine jarring or even offensive, but the truth remains the only way to enjoy “life to the full,” which Jesus promises to those who follow Him (John 10:10), is to fully follow His ways. Whole-hearted commitment makes it work, for if He is not Lord of all, He is not the Lord at all!

The Bible tells us there will be people who practiced the religion of Christianity apart from complete commitment who will find themselves puzzled about why their religion didn’t produce the life they expected. Here’s how Jesus says it:

“Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ ” (Matthew 7:19-25, NIV).

Friend, do a fruit inspection today! When we live God’s way He brings gifts into our lives, much the same way fruit appears in an orchard — things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion, and a commitment to holiness.

As surely as a living apple tree will produce apples, a living believer who is connected to the Vine, will produce spiritual fruit. If there is no fruit, then there is no life! If there is little, puny fruit the only answer is to connect to the One who gives us the life that produces the fruit. We do that by presenting ourselves to Him — every moment, everywhere, without reservation!

Is Jesus Christ the Lord of your life or just parts of your life?

Are you fully committed to knowing, loving, and serving Him, responding with an instant “yes” whenever the Spirit calls?

Or are you shutting Him out of certain areas of your life, closing the door to His leading?

We only can enjoy the full benefits of the kingdom of God if we are fully resident in the Kingdom. It’s really an all or nothing proposition.

Jerry D. Scott is senior pastor of Washington (N.J.) Assembly of God.