GUILT OR GRATITUDE?

As Christians involved in a gospel-centered ministry, we fervently and compassionately pray for the broken-hearted and lost. That they receive the gift of saving faith in our Savior Jesus Christ. That they too can rejoice in the hope of the glory of God (Romans 5:2).

 
For that reason, we who were once lost “head out” into our homes, work places, schools, churches, prisons, group and care homes, parks, streets and the ends of the world to be the hands and feet of Jesus to an unlovely, depraved-filled world. We “go” with faith-filled, obeying hearts knowing that we have been commissioned by Jesus Christ (Matt. 28:18-20; John 17:18; John 3:16-18). We “pray and trust” that the Holy Spirit will be our Helper of whom Jesus promised whenever we share true hope, hope in Him. (John 14:16, 16:7; Romans 5:1-5) We stammer out words that we pray are words of Life found in God’s Word (Act 5:20).

With time, we each come to have our own stories of some form of persecution, rejection, or disconnection from the very people to whom we hope to bring the Good News. And, we each have our own stories of being dismayed and wearied in the very ministries to which we have been called by God. When we are confronted by the question, why any one of us would ever want to do this heart-breaking -- and often times, emotionally-draining, physically- challenging, and endangering -- kind of work, we must give this question honest reflection. For, I believe, God lovingly and graciously uses these times to reveal our hearts a little more clearly to us (1 Corin. 13:12).

It is now out of love that I pose this question. A question that I have asked of me over the years in times of discouragement, weariness, and just plain rebelliousness: Are we serving in that very moment to that particular person(s) out of guilt or gratitude? Oooooohhh, how these words cut deep into the wounds when our service is out of some form of guilt (at least they have for me each time I must give an honest answer before God).

Beloved, be encouraged. Know that God already knows the answer and he still loves you. Look at this as an opportunity to confess before the throne of grace. For if we are serving in that particular moment out of guilt for some past sin that we hope to gain forgiveness or favor from God, let us remind ourselves God’s Word:

 

“For by grace you have been saved through faith.

And this is not your own doing;

it is the gift of God,

not a result of works,

so that no one may boast.”

(Ephesians 2:8-9)

Our deepest need is a Savior who forgives us and intercedes on our behalf to the Father. We have the blessed assurance of our salvation when we recall to mind and believe in the finished work of Christ, our Lord and Savior.

On the other hand, when we find ourselves answering that our service is out of a heart of gratitude yet still feel weary or discouraged, we must ask ourselves in whose strength do we go? In whose plan are we concerned? For whose glory do we desire?

Be of good cheer! Know that He who created the heavens and the earth is still exalted and reigns from high. He is our strength and our help in times of trouble. And, may the words found in Isaiah 40:18-31 be a reminder of the steadfast promise of our God:

“To whom then will you compare me,

that I should be like him? says the Holy One.

Lift up your eyes on high and see: who created these?

He who brings out their host by number,

calling them all by name,

by the greatness of his might, and

because he is strong in power not one is missing.

Why do you say, O Jacob, and speak, O Israel,

“My way is hidden from the Lord, and

my right is disregarded by my God”?

Have you not known? Have you not heard?

The Lord is the everlasting God,

the Creator of the ends of the earth.

He does not faint or grow weary;

his understanding is unsearchable.

He gives power to the faint,

and to him who has no might he increases strength.

 

Even youths shall faint and be weary,

and young men shall fall exhausted;

but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings like eagles;

they shall run and not be weary;

they shall walk and not faint.”

 

Along with our stories of trials and suffering, we each have the absolute joy and blessing of watching God’s gracious hands work through answered prayers and in His transforming work in our lives and, Lord willing, in the life of someone we know and love.  

Soli Deo Gloria!