By Alfio La Spina 2017
When we are idle, it is impossible to bear good fruit and we frustrate the process that began at baptism. We see in the parable of gold bags (some translations use talents.) Jesus gave them each a different amount and expected them to add to what they received. All but one added to what they were given. When Jesus returned, he rewarded those that worked however the one that did nothing he took away from him what he had and threw him out. This is the result that comes from being idle.
God through His Holy Spirit reveals to us when our behavior is not right and He expects us to immediately correct it. In this way, we will always be ready at Christ’s return. People that are idle will not be doing this and they will not be emulating their Lord who was always doing his Father’s work.
Acts 10:37-38 “You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John Preached how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.”
Acts 2:42-43 (NIV) 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.
James 2:14-17 (NIV) “What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by ACTION IS DEAD.
Luke 10:2 (NIV) “He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into the harvest field.”
1 Corinthians 15:58 (NIV) “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourself fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Luke 12:35-37 (NIV) 35 “Be dressed ready for service and keep your lamps burning, 36 like servants waiting for their master to return from a wedding banquet, so that when he comes and knocks, they can immediately open the door for him. 37 It will be good for those servants whose master finds them watching when he comes.
Luke 11:35-36 (NIV) 35 See to it, then, that the light within you is not darkness. 36 Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be just as full of light as when a lamp shines its light on you.”
We see in those verses how no one was idle and that being idle we cannot please God. However, the work we do must bear good fruit. When we are idle, we are weak and easily succumb to the desires of the carnal nature where Satan is able to work. In many of the Churches of God I have been to; the congregation is idle and the people that are supposed to be leading do not encourage them to contribute as the Body of Christ as they should. Everyone has been given abilities that they need to share however many are sleeping shuffling in and out of service going through the motions.
In the parable of the 10 virgins the wise virgins were not idle they worked and bore fruit to make themselves ready for the Bridegroom. The foolish virgins were idle they figured by obeying Christ just enough to get by they would be alright when He returned but they were out of oil (fruit)at His return and they did not enter the kingdom.
John 15:1-7 (NIV) 1 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. 5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6 If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.
Matthew 22:11-14 (NIV) 11 “But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 12 He asked, ‘How did you get in here without wedding clothes, friend?’ The man was speechless. 13 “Then the king told the attendants, ‘Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ 14 “For many are invited, but few are chosen.”
We had better have our hearts clean when He comes for us. The way to do this is to actively be doing the will of our Father in Heaven. Guarding our hearts asking God daily to create in us a clean heart showing us what we need to correct. We should be examining ourselves in every situation whether we are being carnal or spiritual. The answer will come quickly because this is what the Holy Spirit in us does. Most of all we are to love our brothers and sisters as Jesus has loved us and be of service one to another.
Those that are idle are also unspiritual!
Colossians 2:18 (NIV) 18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility and the worship of angels disqualify you. Such a person also goes into detail about what they have seen; they are puffed up with idle notions by their unspiritual mind. 19 They have lost connection with the head, from whom the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.
Those that are idle are also disruptive!
1 Thessalonians 5:14 (NIV) 14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
2 Thessalonians 3:6-7 (NIV) 6 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live per the teaching you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you,
Matthew 24:45-51 (NIV) 45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46 It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. 47 Truly I tell you; he will put him in charge of all his possessions. 48 But suppose that servant is wicked and says to himself, ‘My master is staying away a long time,’ 49 and he then begins to beat his fellow servants and to eat and drink with drunkards. 50 The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour, he is not aware of. 51 He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
Matthew 5:14-16 (NIV) 14 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead, they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
The reward for the idle person is darkness and at Christ’s return he may be thrown into the lake of fire. So, as you can see it is a very dangerous thing to be idle in the body of Christ. In the Church of God this should not be tolerated. All should be encouraged to participate and be watchful that they are not disruptive. Brethren need to be accountable to one another for their behavior. This will help prevent anyone from failing away. We should do all we can to help our brothers and sisters grow spiritually and help with any other needs that may arise. The church should activity move forward with what God has set before us.
The false ministers in the Churches of God do not encourage the body of Christ to work together in fact they restrict it. They pick out certain individuals that they know will speak about what they want them to say in sermonettes etc. They suppress those that question their often-wrong statements and even put them out of the church. Using fear tactics to keep people in line, which causes the body of Christ to be idle and fall asleep. They even chastise members for fellowshipping with brethren that are not part of their group and not in their control. This is the work of Satan and it is time for the church to wake up and cast those minsters out.