SHOULD WE? COULD WE? WOULD WE? DO WE?
If you knew that death was coming within a fortnight and the reason why your execution was imminent linked directly to your witness, your proclamation that Jesus was Lord of your life—Would you proclaim Jesus until your final breath?
Wow!
Even while typing that question, I hesitated to consider my response.
As a believer in Christ, as God’s child and a faithful follower of Jesus & as a student of the Word of God—we know the answer to the question we “SHOULD” say, but deep down inside the depth of our being, “COULD WE, WOULD WE, & DO WE”? The answer remains “REAL” once we are called to become a martyr for Jesus Christ.
The Bible provides us the answer.
As we have come to expect, the Word of God provides us examples of others who have faced similar questions.
- In studying, we see their response to the questions.
- In reading their life-stories, we are encouraged by their faith.
- In praying, we understand what God has called us each—individually—to do when Jesus says: “Come Follow Me.”
Walk with me for a bit as we see some faithful examples. Take up your copy of God’s Word, pick up your pen, & let us bow in prayer, as we ask God to reveal what He would have us understand, see, and do with what we are about to read.
Our first person: the apostle Paul
If we knew we were going to be executed within the next few days, and we knew our time on earth was quickly coming to an end, would we spend our time writing a letter of encouragement to a young man who was to carry on the mission? That’s exactly what Paul did; he wrote his second letter to Timothy, encouraging him, preparing him, and reassuring him that he will not ever walk alone.
“The statement is trustworthy:
(2 Timothy 2: 11-13 NASB)
For if we died with Him, we
will also live with Him;
If we endure, we will also
reign with Him;
If we deny Him, He will
also deny us;
If we are faithless, He
remains faithful, for He
cannot deny Himself.”
OH, MY GOODNESS! Look at the statements.
If—then.
If we—then Jesus.
If we do this—then Jesus will do that.
& EVEN,
If we don’t do as a child of God should do—then JESUS CHRIST WILL BE WHAT HE ALWAYS IS—FAITHFUL—“for He cannot deny Himself.”
Consider for a moment. If we were to place on a scale of 1—to—10 how open we are to the ministry of the Holy Spirit, where would our faithfulness fall on the scale?
Are we aware of the Holy Spirit’s leading? & Are we allowing Him to empower us to do His ministry?
- Are we OPEN & AVAILABLE?
- Are we FAITHFUL FOLLOWERS of JESUS?
When the Holy Spirit of God prompts us, SHOULD WE? COULD WE? WOULD WE? & DO WE ANSWER: “YES, LORD” or do we give excuses, run the other way, or make concessions?
Today, may the Holy Spirit rekindle the gift of God that is within us. May we never quench the Spirit but allow the Holy Spirit to blaze anew again within us!
As Paul wrote to his protégé Timothy, the goal of the man or woman of God is to “be fully capable, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3: 17b NASB). We are equipped by becoming students of the inspired Word of God that teaches us, rebukes us of our sins, corrects our direction, and trains us in preparation for our journey home to heaven (2 Timothy 3: 16 NASB).
Paul encourages Timothy to “Be Strong” & to “Be Unashamed of the Gospel” to do the work God has called him to do & to “Be Prepared” for the difficult times to come & to “Be a Preacher of the Word.”
As a child of God, we are (like Timothy) encouraged to do exactly the same.
So, today, we ask: SHOULD WE? COULD WE? WOULD WE? DO WE?
A second time, take up your copy of God’s Word, pick up your pen, & join me in prayer, as we ask God to reveal what He would have us understand, see, and do with what we are about to read.
Our second examples are two of the apostles: the apostles Thomas & Philip
“Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going; how do we know the way?”
(John 14: 5-6 & 12-15 NASB)
Jesus said to him,
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life;
no one comes to the Father except through Me.”
[And then a few verses later—Jesus said]
“Truly, truly I say to you, the one who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I am going to the Father.
And whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.
If you love Me, you will keep my commandments.”
AGAIN, OH, MY GOODNESS!
- If we say we are a child of God, then Jesus leads us & our task is to follow Him!
- If we call ourselves a Christian, then Jesus shows us the way we are go & we go the way that He leads!
- If we proclaim to be a believer, then we will do the work Jesus leads us to do through the HOLY SPIRIT JESUS SENT TO RESIDE WITHIN US!
- If we are who we say we are, then as we ask in Jesus’ name for the Holy Spirit to guide us—THEN JESUS WILL DO EXACTLY AS HE HAS PROMISED!
- If we love Jesus, WE WILL KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS—ALL OF THEM!
Jesus tells Thomas and Philip to “Follow Him” & to “Believe in Him” & to “Pray In His Name.”
As a child of God, we are (like the apostles) encouraged to do exactly the same.
So, today, we ask: SHOULD WE? COULD WE? WOULD WE? DO WE?
- The only way to God is through Jesus!
- The only way to receive eternal life is to trust the Truth, to trust the Life, & to look to Jesus!
- The only way to follow Jesus is to keep our focus, our eyes, and our whole being turned toward Jesus!
In closing, let us take up our copy of God’s Word once again, but before we read, let us bow in prayer, asking God to reveal what He would have us understand, see, and do with what we are about to read.
“The works of His hands are
(Psalm 111: 7-10 NASB)
truth and justice;
All His precepts are trustworthy.
They are upheld forever and ever;
They are performed in truth
and uprightness.
He has sent redemption to His people;
He has ordained His covenant forever;
Holy and awesome is His name.
The fear of the LORD is the
beginning of wisdom;
All those who follow His
commandments have a
good understanding;
His praise endures forever.”
SHOULD WE? YES, WE SHOULD!
COULD WE? YES, WE CAN!
WOULD WE? DO WE?
QUESTIONS FOR THIS DAY! &
COMMANDMENTS OF GOD WE MUST FOLLOW AS HIS CHILDREN!