Matthew 25:23 His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! …
Those are the only words that interest me. That is the only goal in my life, to hear Jesus Himself say to me personally ‘Deannie!’(that’s what He calls when we’re alone), ‘well done, good and faithful servant!’ I don’t want to hear good try! Lots of people like you! You helped a lot of people. All of those things are good steps, but not enough. It’s not about how you start but how you stop. ‘Jack rabbits’ was a bad name in cross country. They started fast but very rarely finished.
Besides actually finishing well, there are five crucial steps to hearing these words.
1.Doing the job very well. With excellence. Evangelizing, studying the Bible, paying, being filled with the Holy Ghost, interceding, following the leading of God, intentionally following aGod’s order and keeping His commandments. Making Jesus your complete center of attention. Ignoring your feelings or state of mind.
2.Done! You have to actually finish the job you started. Many evangelists do great jobs evangelizing. They get people to cry. Sometimes they have real fruit. But then what. An evangelist needs to have a follow up plan. How to get his converts fed. To grow. Also throughout nicaragua are half built churches that have been abandoned 10 years ago. I am guilty and it haunts me for having started something and not completed it. Some things you can’t go back and fix. But never do it again. Except for some tragedy there is no excuse for not finishing what you started.
3.Good. You have to be good. You can only be good if you are saved. When God sees you He can only see Jesus in you, so you’re good. Anything else, all your good works He simply sees as filthy rags. You do good only by sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world. Those who save souls are wise and shine as stars.
4.Faithful! If you are good (only through Christ, no one else or through deeds) you are faithful. It’s a bi-product of faithfulness. Faithfulness comes only through faith. You pray everyday because you believe Jesus is listening. You read the Bible everyday because it’s God’s love note to you. You evangelize EVERYONE because you really love them and are terrified that they are going to hell.
5.Servant! Not boss. Not king. A slave. You are a slave to everyone. You are here to serve, not lead. You serve them by helping them with their daily needs. You watch out for their needs. You offer them your seat in the bus. A spot in traffic. A smile instead of a frown. Patience instead of grouchiness. The goal is to get them into heaven.
Daniel 12:3those who lead others to righteousness will shine like the stars forever