Much Required
Lk 12:48 describes the punishment of those who knew the Lord’s will and didn’t do it, before his return, versus those who didn’t know, yet also did things worthy of stripes. The ones who knew are beaten with more stripes. The principle is this. “For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required”.
In the church age, we have the great privilege to be in the body of Christ and to have all that’s given to us in Christ. However, with greater privilege comes greater responsibility. Much more has been given to us than others in other ages. Therefore, much more is going to be required of us.
We have:
- Jesus Christ and we can do all things through him, Phil 4:13.
- The indwelling Spirit of God, Gal 5:16, Rom 8:14.
- The abundant and all-sufficient grace of God, 1 Cor 15:10.
Therefore, Jesus said, “He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father”, Jn 14:12.
More so than those before us or after us, we have greater ability:
- To love God because God first loved us.
- To love the brethren because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost.
- To fight temptation because of the weapons of our warfare that are mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds.
- And to witness because of the filling of the Spirit.
We have a:
- Completed Bible – the words of God.
- Church – fellow helpers who are members in Christ’s body.
- Commission – to preach the gospel.
In Rom 1:15-16 Paul wrote, “So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek”.
The power is in the gospel. All we must do is preach it.
I believe we are nearing the end of our race. Jesus should be coming soon. And, as in a distance race, it is time for us to “kick” at the end of this race. We need to give it all we’ve got because so much has been given to us. Our responsibility is greater, because what we’ve been given is greater. Jesus expects more from us.
Coming up this year we have many opportunities to preach to others and invite them to services where they can be saved. We will have the Gospel Brunch, our annual Missions Conference, Easter Sunday morning, and our 25th Church Anniversary in May.
Unto us much has been given and of us shall be much required.