Time Always Tells...

Here's a treat for you today! I finally convinced by sister to write something in a guest post for you, My Readers, and this one is a jewel. 

Are you needing a thoughtful reminder about the importance of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ? A reminder that as believers we are not to entangled oursleves in the affairs of this life; but instead are to glorify Him all we do? Then this is for you. 

Get ready....here we go!

Life in the ministry is a totally different life altogether.  In my opinion, there are two sides to life as a believer: one as a “lay-servant” and one as a “full-time worker.”  Now, don’t get me wrong.  All believers should be full-time believers. The Christian life is not a “religion” that one puts in his pocket or bag and only pulls out on Sundays or when necessary.  No.  It is a life style; it is an everyday walk, minute by minute, hour by hour, and day by day.

So many believers have fallen into the trap of the Devil’s lie that the legalistic “rules” of God’s Word are only for those that fulfill leadership roles in the church, and that is just not the case.  Sanctification, the work that the Holy Spirit does in the heart, is for every believer, those who are “lay people” and those who are “full-time workers.” There is no different standard of living.

 The standards come when one is in a leadership position for the simple reason that the person must be an example to the believers around him. He does not rise to leadership and then take on those standards.  No.  He already HAS applied those standards to his life and is, therefore, qualified for the position of leadership. This is true in the secular world as well spiritual world.

The difference comes in the accountability and repercussions. All believers will stand before the judgment seat of Christ to give account of himself for those things done in his body whether the works were pure and whether they were right.  But, those who have been given the great responsibility and grave privilege of leadership position are held to a stronger accountability. Let’s take for example, our great military. When a person signs up for a particular branch of military, he puts his signature on a contract that states that he will obey the powers over him for a certain term of years of his life. As this soldier learns the standards of his new life, he learns to obey all the requirements that have been placed on him, and not just him, but all the other fellow soldiers around him. He did not DO these requisites to become a soldier. No. But, in order to be the best soldier he can be, he must obey those commands.  The more that he applies the habits of a dedicated soldier, the more his record will reflect his character.  This can even lead to advancement and promotion! What? A person cannot sign up for the military and become a four-star general immediately? Absolutely not.  But, I can guarantee that a four-star general continues to live his life with the habits that he learned in basic training which is the same for every soldier who has signed up for a commission. The only difference between the private and the general is the punishment that is imposed for dereliction of duties required. The higher the station, the higher the punishment, the greater the consequences.

So, we as believers are admonished in II Timothy 2 to endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth, entangleth himself with the affairs of this life. Why? So that he may please Him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. It’s simple.

The duration of a soldier’s life is shown in his record. As terms of service lengthen, so the record displays the actions of that soldier. Eventually, if any corruption or deception is perpetuated, those actions will eventually surface, whether he be a private or a general.  That is the law of sowing and reaping. It is only the time table that is uncertain. From this comes a quote that I often say about believers whom I know. “Time always tells.”

II Timothy 5:24-25 says, “Some men’s sins are open beforehand, giving before to judgment; and some men they (the sins) follow after. Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.” Paul wrote Timothy of this very point. As Timothy had begun his ministry, it was vital that he learn to discern the actions of those with whom he ministered and to whom he ministered. This discernment can only come from a walk with the God of Heaven who knows all of the thoughts and intents of the human heart. We cannot see into the desires of another believer’s heart nor the motives of his actions.  But, what we do know is that a tree is known by its fruit. We are certain that that which comes out of a believer can defile him or can approve him. Proverbs says that even a child is known by his doings whether his work be pure and whether it be right.

God knows our hearts, but those around us read our attitudes and actions. Any rot or corruption within the heart will eventually surface.Time always tells. Any strength and righteousness that has been overlooked or misunderstood will be brought to light. Time always tells.

The profound necessity of a daily walk with our Great God and Heavenly Father is of utmost importance. We cannot be “all that we can be” as believers if we do not abide in Him. Sorry for the mix of metaphors between soldiers and trees (but Paul did in II Timothy 2 as well with the soldier and the husbandman), but the allusions to Scripture are a must! The time we have here on this earth is precious; as believers, stewards, soldiers, Christians, we must represent Christ, our Lord and Savior as He wants us to, as He commands us to. The affairs of this life will entangle the believer.  Why would we succumb to them? Our obedience to Him brings a life of joy, peace, and fulfillment; our obedience proves our love to Him. If we abide in Him, if we maintain the standards and not entangle ourselves with this world, we will with our obedience please Him. Time always tells!

--Written by Kathy Ashley, Author of Vitamins for the Soul

Simply Stated,