The benefits of activity ...

Following on from my recent blog on Captivity ... here is my second thought stemming from reading Philemon. It concerns v6 "I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ."

I saw this posted on a friends Facebook page recently, which sums up in a very clear way what I think the Apostle Paul was trying to tell Philemon.

It is never the Lord's intention that we live our lives as consumers. Partly, because then the tendency is that everything becomes inward looking rather than outward and partly, because those with the desire to serve end up serving almost exclusively within the Church and to a Church - so we lose out on two levels. It is a common statistic that about 20% of the Church for 80% of the work. Or, as one Pastor once told me, "I have a Church of 350 going on 40 people!" People with a consumer mentality or within a consumer led system don't discover gifting, don't grow, get bored and either stay and remain bored or leave - either condition is not 'life to the full.'

We are blessed to be a blessing - we are all part of one body, and we all have a role to play within this missional fellowship called the Church. 

The command to be active in serving and sharing our faith through whatever channels, within whatever communities, and taking whatever opportunities come our way is a blessing. 

• It benefits those we are sharing with - giving them an opportunity to respond or discuss issues of faith.
• It benefits me - building me up in my faith and helps me to gain a greater understanding and appreciation of the wonders of the gospel.
• It benefits the Church - as we grow together and encourage one another on.
• It benefits (poor choice of words but maintains the flow of the passage!) the Kingdom - through our inspired activity the Kingdom will grow! 

So it really is good news all round - God blesses those who serve Him!

Be active ... Press on!