Living Full-time for Jesus
If we are not careful, it is easy for us to fall into “on the clock” Christianity. We clock in for Christ when we are coming to church or doing Bible study. But when it comes time for work or play we clock out and think it is our time. I am concerned that too many Christians consider following Christ a part-time job. Yet Scripture is clear that the only way to live is full-time for Jesus. 
58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. (ESV) -
Look at the 100% language in this verse. In response to what Christ has done for us in His death and resurrection (
The Resurrection of Christ
15:1 Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in which you stand, 2 and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, (ESV)
) we are commanded to give ourselves “always” and “fully” to the work of the Lord. “Always” means with 100% of our time. “Fully” means with 100% of our hearts and effort. The Lord’s work demands everything that we have. There is nothing leftover for us.
This is a theme that continually comes up in my teaching with the high school students. It is so easy for them to think of school or home or sports as something different than church. Instead of seeing themselves as missionaries for Jesus wherever they are, they can see themselves as independent operators. So much of life becomes about what they want to do rather than carrying the name of Jesus forward in the world.
17 And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (ESV) -
Rules for Christian Households
18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. 22 Slaves, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality. (ESV)
goes on to give specific relationships where this full-time for Jesus mentality applies. At home, students should obey their parents in the Lord. At school, they should do what their teachers tell them like a slave would follow his master’s commands. All of these things are not separate pursuits, but should all be seen as serving our Lord and Savior.
You might think that this is easy for me to say because I am involved in full-time ministry. However, a mentality of “always giving yourselves fully” to the work of the Lord has nothing to do with where we are employed. It has everything to do with how we work. Our whole heart is into it. We do it with a level of excellence that adorns the gospel. Sadly, there are many who work at churches and don’t live this way. I remember when I began high school ministry six years ago, it was easy for me to think of it as a 9 to 5 job. I thought that at the end of the day when I came home it was “Bobby time.” However, the Lord has convicted me of thinking of my free time as my own. It all belongs to Him!
So how are you doing? I’d encourage you to look at the 24 hours of your day and ask yourself if you are giving them fully to our Lord Jesus? Yes, we need to sleep and eat and rest but all of these things need to be done with the mentality of someone who is a 24/7 Christian, because that is the only kind of Christian there is. Compass Bible Church, we are “on the clock”…right…now!
Thanks Bobby for the encouragement and reminder that we cannot compartmentalize our work and social life apart from our relationship with Christ; Christ called us to follow him with all our minds, body and soul and yet how often we segregate our Lord from our daily activities.
In Christ,
Glenn
Thanks Pastor Bobby! I appreciate this reminder that my time is not my own – it belongs fully to the Lord. This reminds me of the HS Winter Retreat when you showed us what we should be doing with our time: rejoicing always, praying continually, and giving thanks in all circumstances (1 Thess 5:16-18)!
Great blog! Thank you for the reminder! This, like Brittany, reminds me of winter retreat and how we need to always be rejoicing, praying, and giving thanks! This is so important, and I need to work on having that mentality all the time, of a 24/7 Christian!
From now on I am going to put 24/7 at the end of all of my favorite verses, such as…”And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God” 24/7…Colossians 1:10. It really makes a difference! Thank you, Pastor Bobby! Now I just need to live it!!
Thanks so much Pastor Bobby. Every Christian needs to remember to live 24/7 for Christ and not separate our lives into “categories”. It helps me to get through the mundane tasks and chores of everyday life when I realize I do it all for Christ’s glory.
What a great reminder Pastor Bobby. This blog post seems to fit nicely with this past weekend’s sermon too. I also like Susan’s idea of adding 24/7 to the end of every verse. I’m now greatly encouraged to go live 24/7 for Jesus this week!
hey thanks Pastor Bobby! it’s so easy to get lost in the day…thanks for putting so well …Live for Christ 24/7..something we all understand and all can apply..even my 6yr old…
Thanks for this post Bobby! It feels like I need to hear this and be reminded of this every single morning that I wake up. Being a Christian means no longer guarding our time but spending ourselves for the good of others. The verses you mentioned is definitely 100% language. Thanks for being an example of 24/7 Christianity!