I’m not sure who the original author of this quote is but I love it nonetheless, “Christianity is not a spectator sport.” These are true words regardless of who first penned them! If our following Christ just involves attending church and not doing anything for Christ then we fail miserably as His followers. Jesus meets us where we are but He doesn’t leave us there. He cleans us up and prepares us for service. It may take a bit of time before we are ready to serve but that day will come, unless we choose to remain a spectator.

Our walk, as followers of Christ, involves abiding in Him and through His love and Holy Spirit, we are lead into ministry. Our ministry will involve our home church and may also  involve our neighborhood, outside our neighborhood or even outside our own country. There are so many wonderful ways God is able to put our giftings to use. If you are sitting on yours it’s time to change!

James 2:14-24 NIV ¹⁴ What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? ¹⁵ Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. ¹⁶ If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? ¹⁷ In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

¹⁸ But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.¹⁹ You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder.

²⁰ You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? ²¹ Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? ²² You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. ²³ And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,”and he was called God’s friend. ²⁴ You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.

The Word of God has lots to say about being involved in serving Christ. As followers we must follow and that involves continuing the work He has laid out for us to do. Workers are  needed everywhere. It is up to us to seek God and see where we will be the most fruitful but we can’t neglect to begin in our home church. All of us have a roll to play in our home church.

1 Corinthians 12:24-31 NIV But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, ²⁵ so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. ²⁶ If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. ²⁸ And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. ²⁹ Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? ³⁰ Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? ³¹ Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.

Outside our church home, there are so many ways we can demonstrate our love for Christ. We can be a source of encouragement to others, meet legitimate needs, and love on them as Christ would do. We are not to gloat on the fact that we have been saved but to recognize the high price Christ paid for each and every one of us and to remember that as we extend His love and good news to others.

Phillipians 2:2-8 NIV ² Then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, ⁴ not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

⁵ In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:  ⁶ Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; ⁷ rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. ⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death-even death on a cross!

If you find yourself comfortably watching the gospel played out in your church, it’s time to get on your knees and ask God to prepare your heart and mind for service. If you see needs in your neighborhood and walk by or ignore them it’s time you ask God to show you what you can do to make a difference. If your heart breaks for people in distant lands then seek God for a way you can become involved in being part of the solution. If you are disabled and unable to be actively involved in outward service you can be a prayer warrior, tearing down strongholds and opening doors for Christ to move!   We are called to be the hands and feet of Christ, and if we are sitting idle and not using either we are not being followers of Christ, we are being spectators.

Lord I pray that each and everyone of us will seek you for wisdom and guidance in how best we may serve You today and in the days ahead! Cause  us to repent for any spiritual laziness that may have  set in. We want to hear Your words, “Well done thou good and faithful servant,” when we see you face to face!

“It is true that God may have called you to be exactly where you are. But, it is absolutely vital to grasp that he didn’t call you there so you could settle in and live your life in comfort and superficial peace.” ~Francis Chan