We Have an Awesome Job!

We have churches everywhere today. We have churches on every corner. Large churches. Small churches. Urban churches. Rural churches. Some churches clap their hands. Some don’t. Some churches say, “Amen.” Some don’t. Some churches have musical bands. Some don’t. Some churches have long services. Some don’t. We have churches everywhere. 

While we have churches everywhere, let me also add that there are good people in all churches. There are good Christians in all denominations. But, when I consider a church, it’s not about who has the nicest building. It’s not about how many members it has. It’s not about how many choirs, praise teams or musicians there are. It’s not about how many greeters or ushers there are. Although all of these things may be good, membership in a church should positively rest in where God’s unadulterated Word is being preached. Jesus made it clear, “God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:24. Moreover, Revelation 12:17 clearly defines God’s remnant as those who “keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.”

Today, I’m happy that I’m a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church! Yet, I also recognize that being a follower of Christ is more than just membership, it’s also discipleship and espousing the love Jesus had for His Father and His people! Hence, as disciples of Christ and members of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, we have the awesome responsibility of sharing His love and the good news of salvation with others. (Matthew 28:19-20; 1 John 4:7-8).

All of us at some point in our lives, have been, are currently or will be employed. Whether a pastor, doctor, lawyer, educator, accountant, plumber, painter or homemaker, employment in some form is necessary in our world. Yet, we ultimately have the greatest job in the world as disciples of Jesus and witnesses for Him! 

In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one 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 in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!”

In doing God’s will, we have the amazing assignment of sharing our faith through obedience to God’s Word, the communication of the Gospel, meeting community-felt needs and loving God’s people! What an awesome job!

Friends, “let us not be weary in well doing,” but remember, “in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9 (KJV). We, as a people, are imperfect, but we pursue a perfect message and will soon be rewarded by living in perfect paradise with our perfect God! I love my job! How about you?

By Carlton P. Byrd, D.Min.
President