Many people want to know what the bare minimum is with which they can get by in their lives. Also, some Christians want to do the minimum in their spiritual lives. However, does God allow a bare minimum? Jesus said, “And you shall 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). If we really love God, we will want to do all we can.
Some may ask, “How many times a week do I have to go to church?” or “How much do I have to give?” or “How much do I have to do?” This is the wrong attitude. Jesus declared, “So likewise you, when you have done all those things which you are commanded, say, ‘We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do’” (Luke 17:10). If we try to get by with the bare minimum in our spiritual lives, we will most likely be horribly surprised on Judgment Day, when we hear the Lord say, “Depart from Me,” because we have not faithfully done the will of the “Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21-23). It will be too late, then. It will be final. Can we do too much for the Lord? No!
We must do the most we can for the Lord. We must, “be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Our number one priority in this life must be to go to Heaven when this life is over. God “is a rewarder of those, who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6). We must diligently seek God if we expect to receive the reward of Heaven. The Bible says, “Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your calling and election sure” (2 Peter 1:10). We must be “looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God” (Hebrews 12:15). We can definitely fall from the grace of God, even though Satan says we can’t.
What about those who are lukewarm? Jesus said, “So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of My mouth” (Revelation 3:16). Those who are lukewarm make Jesus sick at His stomach. However, Jesus promised, “Be faithful until death and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). Let’s make sure we go to Heaven. Nothing is as important.
[Editor’s Note: Many members of the Lord’s church practice their Christianity as though it were merely an inconsequential club membership, in which they are unwilling to invest themselves or their money. Virtually every club has on its rolls a large percentage of such so-called members, and although not a club, the same is true, unfortunately, of the churches of Christ. It ought not be the case. Just think of what the church could be and how many more joyous souls there would be in eternity if more Christians exhibited religious conviction and conversion. ~ Louis Rushmore, Editor]
