On the Need to Remain Vigilant
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
Always Ready. Always Watchful.
Part of the call to serve the Lord faithfully in this life requires that we remain both always ready and always vigilant.
Being always ready relates to our posture toward unbelievers and to how we can interact with them and lead them to saving faith in Christ.
but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, — 1 Peter 3: 15
Being always ready also relates to our posture toward our brothers and sisters in Christ. We are to be seeking ways to serve one another, build up one another, and even outdo one another in showing honor (Rom. 12:10). The way of the Christian is drastically different than the way of the worldly person.
An Overlooked Aspect of Readiness
Being always vigilant requires that we learn the discipline and art of being watchful. As we go through our days, we are to keep one eye open, as it were. We must train ourselves to be mindful of God’s sovereign orchestration of all things together for our good, His glory, and our sanctification. We do well to sharpen our senses to live mindful of our three enemies: Satan, our own unredeemed flesh, and the world system.
A good soldier understands the schemes of the Enemy (Eph. 6:11) and learns to keep watchful for the roaming lion seeking someone to devour (1 Pt. 5:8-9).
Questions for Reflection
In what ways are you (or are you not) keeping vigilant today?
How might the Lord be calling you to be more ready or more watchful of the condition of your soul and the souls of those around you?
Man Your Post
If you desire to be and stay useful to the Master today, let me encourage you to make it a practice to be watchful. Don’t just coast through life. Be on guard.
The missionary serving on the frontlines in unreached territories will not last long unless he learns the valuable skill of keeping watch of his own soul and of those in his circle. Building and constructing things that last (like the work of shepherding) often takes a long time. Without careful watching, everything can crumble to pieces in a matter of seconds.
Here is a book I recommend to anyone seeking to get involved in front-line missionary work: Watchfulness: Recovering a Lost Spiritual Discipline by Brian Hedges. Consider giving it a read.
May the Lord bless you as you live for His honor with joy and vigilance. May you consider as well the needs of your missionaries as they take the gospel to the people in dark places. Keep them in your prayers! SDG
Written by Jesse Schreck | founder, director, and missionary church planter in Italy with Practical Missions Cohort
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A new episode (343) is now out on the Missions Incorporated Podcast. It’s a sermon on anxiety and faithful Christian living. Check it out here below! SDG
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