God Is Not Optional: What Are You Doing With What He Gave You?
Scriptures: Hebrews 6, Proverbs 13, Proverbs 21, Galatians 6, Proverbs 16, 2 Corinthians 1
Stop Making Excuses for Disobedience
One of the greatest dangers in our spiritual lives is becoming comfortable with excuses—not just our own, but the excuses we make for other people.
Are you making excuses for people choosing not to follow the Lord?
Sometimes, in our efforts to be understanding, we begin justifying behavior that God has already told us is wrong. We excuse disobedience because of someone’s circumstances, personality, emotions, or past experiences.
But understanding someone’s struggles does not mean we should encourage them to remain in disobedience.
Here’s an uncomfortable truth:
Some people would rather DO NOTHING than do what’s right in God.
Doing nothing can feel easier than making the difficult decision to obey. It requires no sacrifice, no confrontation, and no immediate change. But refusing to do what God has commanded is still a decision.
Proverbs 21 reminds us that doing justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice. God is concerned not only with what we claim to believe but also with what we actually choose to do.
The question is simple: Are you helping people become better in Christ, or are you helping them become more comfortable with doing nothing?
What Are You Doing With Your Talents?
God has given every one of us abilities, opportunities, resources, and time. The question is not simply whether we possess these things, but whether we are using them for His glory.
What have you been doing with the talents God has given you?
Think about that for a moment.
You may have talents that help you earn money, build relationships, advance your career, or entertain others. But how much of that ability have you committed to the Lord?
Do you know the value that you have given to God in your life?
It’s easy to measure our accomplishments in the world. We track promotions, income, achievements, and personal milestones. But how often do we evaluate what we are accomplishing spiritually?
Hebrews 6 encourages believers to demonstrate diligence, love, and continued service toward God and His people.
This raises two important questions:
What are you multiplying in God? What are you giving?
Are you multiplying encouragement, love, service, wisdom, and opportunities for others to grow in Christ?
Or are you simply consuming the blessings and opportunities God has given you without producing anything meaningful for His Kingdom?
Your talents are not just for your benefit. They are opportunities to serve.
God Should Not Be Optional in Your Life
This statement deserves serious consideration:
God should not be OPTIONAL in your life.
Yet many people live as though their relationship with God is something they can participate in whenever it fits their schedule.
We make time for work.
We make time for entertainment.
We make time for our hobbies, vacations, and personal interests.
But when it comes to serving God, suddenly everything becomes negotiable.
Galatians 6 reminds us not to become weary in well doing. Faithfulness requires consistency, even when doing good is inconvenient or when the results are not immediately visible.
Our commitment to Christ should not depend on whether we have extra time, whether we’re in the mood, or whether someone else is participating.
God should not be one option among many competing priorities.
He should be the foundation upon which our priorities are established.
Have You Committed Your Plans to the Lord?
Proverbs 16:3 (KJV) tells us:
“Commit thy works unto the LORD, and thy thoughts shall be established.”
This verse challenges us to examine how we make plans and whose approval we are seeking.
Have you committed yourself and the things you do to the Lord?
It’s possible to have an incredibly organized life while having very little spiritual direction.
You might know exactly what you’re doing at work tomorrow, what bills need to be paid, what errands need to be completed, and what personal goals you’re pursuing.
But consider this question from the sermon:
What are your plans for the Lord tomorrow?
Not next Sunday.
Not whenever you have some free time.
Tomorrow.
Who are you planning to encourage? Who needs your prayers? What spiritual responsibility have you been putting off? What opportunity do you have to demonstrate the love of Christ?
Proverbs 13 reminds us of the importance of wisdom, instruction, and diligence.
A spiritually productive life requires more than good intentions. It requires decisions followed by action.
If you can make plans for everything else in your life, you should also be able to make intentional plans to serve God.
Are You Emotionally Invested in Other Believers?
Christianity was never intended to be a completely isolated experience.
Our relationship with God should influence the way we care for, communicate with, and support other believers.
So ask yourself:
Are you emotionally invested in caring for other believers in Christ?
Do you genuinely care about their spiritual growth?
Does it matter to you when someone is stru