Are You Ready for Good Works?

*This is my article for the March 2012 President's Page in the Sabbath Recorder.

Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, tobe ready for every good work (Titus 3:1, ESV)

     How do we get ready for EVERY good work? What are the good works we need to be ready to do? They are the “good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). God’s word shows us what these good works are. His revealed word causes us to be “equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16-17). Our submission to Him allows us to do them in His name and for His glory. Without submission to God and those authorities that He has placed above us, we sully our good works for Him.

     The American culture at large seems to be having an authority crisis. We like to snipe, criticize, humiliate, and flat out disobey the people who have been placed in authority (whether elected, appointed, or biological). If you don't believe me, start one conversation about your president, or your pastor, or your parents. See how long it takes this conversation to go from “constructive” to “destructive”.

     Being under authority and showing respect is not easy for us because like our forefathers, our sinful nature tells us that we know how to do everything better than everyone else. Nobody likes being to told what to do or how to do it. We start to believe that authority is only granted to those with whom we want to give it.

     Biblically (Romans 13), it seems that all authority has been put in place by God (nationally, locally, ecclesiastically) for our benefit and good, whether you voted for the guy or not. This is a tough teaching of the Bible. This is all being pointed out so that we are aware that we are a people under authority. If we are rebellious in our submission to our parents, will we then curb our rebellious behavior with God?

     I want our churches to be ready for the good works of church revitalization and planting that God has for us in the near future. He has been doing great things among our Seventh Day Baptist leaders and people. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? (Isaiah 43:19a)

     ARE YOU READY to make Jesus not just your Savior but your Lord? ARE YOU READY to follow, serve, submit to, and wait for Him? It is through His authority that our good works are able to advance His Kingdom. AREYOU READY to honor, respect, submit, and obey those He has placed in authority over you?

     This summer during our Conference sessions we will be challenging our churches to get ready for what God will do through them with our Conference theme, ARE YOU READY? We will be studying through the book of 1 Thessalonians in our morning sessions and use the gathered worship times to discuss themes like Repentance, Revitalization, and His Return, among others. Of course, there will be the fantastic fellowship times and other activities that we have grown to love during that week.

     We are placing an emphasis on church planting and revitalization during this year's session as well. If that is an area of ministry that you are being called to explore or discover or have questions about, please contact the Center office, the Missionary Society, or myself so that we can be praying for you and include you in these discussions.

     There is still time to offer any input into our yearly meeting. Please feel free to contact me through email, Twitter, or Facebook.

     On behalf of myself, our denominational executives, our boards and agencies, and our Conference host committee, we want to invite you to join the ARE YOU READY? conversation at West Virginia Wesleyan College in Buckhannon, WV from July 29-August 4, 2012.