A Risk Taker
By Rick Ezell
"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind,and with all your strength" (Mark 12:30 HCSB).
Christianity was never intended to be a noun. When we turn it into a noun, it becomes a turnoff. Christianity was always intended to be a verb-a call to action. Faith that is not up and doing will eventually die. Talk is cheap. God isn't going to say, "Well said, good and faithful servant." He will say, however, "Well done, good and faithful servant." God doesn't reward what we know. He doesn't reward what we say. God rewards what we do.
Jesus was communicating that thought when He challenged His hearers to love God with all their strength. The Greek word for strength means "the antithesis of apathy." The images that come to mind are ones of taking risks, seizing opportunities, going all out, throwing in all your chips. It means concentrated and consecrated ability, having our whole being focused.
Jesus is our ultimate example. He took the risk of coming to earth; to the people He created but did not recognize Him. He seized the opportunity of laying down His life as the perfect sacrifice. He went all the way to the cross. He threw in all his chips.
So what does this have to do with loving God? It means expending tremendous amounts of energy for kingdom causes. It means blood, sweat, and tears. It means servanthood and sacrifice. It means good old-fashioned hard work.
What act of service, devotion to duty, or labor of love will you engage in today? Will you go out of your way, beyond your abilities, to the ends of the earth to serve God by serving others?
Copyright 2013, Rick Ezell.
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