It
takes a lot of effort for me to memorize anything. Whether it’s a phone number,
a name, or a verse of Scripture, it will take great concentration and
continuous repetition before I get it…then it really is a question of how long
that piece of information will remain in my brain. So the real question is, “Did
I memorize it?”
I
have plantar fasciitis in both feet and it takes great effort each morning just
to walk. Until those tendons loosen, I am in pain and must walk slowly and carefully.
This effort also requires a lot of patience!
These
are just a few pieces of my physical life that take effort. There are some
spiritual efforts that I am required to work at as well.
Actually
the verses we will be seeing today say to “make every effort.” Do more than
just try. Don’t stop working at it. Do everything in your power, then allow God’s
Spirit to jump in to help. Make every effort.
Let’s
see what they are.
Jesus
begins our teaching today. In Luke 13, Jesus was traveling to Jerusalem, but
made stops along the way in the local towns and villages. At one point, He was
asked, “Lord, are only a few going to be
saved?” (Luke 13:23 – NIV)
Jesus
said to them, “Make every effort to enter
through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will
not be able to.” (Luke 13:24 – NIV) The narrow door isn’t the easy door,
but those who do enter, will be greatly rewarded. Make every effort to get
through that narrow door!
Paul
encourages the Roman church with these words. “Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to
mutual edification.” (Romans 14:19 – NIV) Yes, these are difficult, but we
are called to peace and edification.
Synonyms
for edification are improvement, education, enlightenment, instruction, teaching,
or learning. Are you studying God’s Word so that you are able to mutual edify
someone else? This verse tells us that we are to make every effort to join in
on this process. Make every effort!
In
Ephesians 4:3 (NIV), Paul speaks of unity. “Make
every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.”
Unity seems so difficult with so many personalities and occupations and
cultures and just about anything that make a person who they are. But we are to
keep the unity.
The
good news? We have a Helper. The Holy Spirit. With the guidance and leadership
of the Holy Spirit, this effort becomes effortless. We are able to accomplish
this task because of who is within us. Make every effort.
“Let us, therefore, make every effort
to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of
disobedience.”
(Hebrews 4:11 – NIV) “That rest” is our salvation. Not that we gain salvation by
our works, but that our faith walk should be what others to see.
When
we allow our disobedience to overtake our spiritual lives, we are not making
every effort to reach our goal. And the worst part is that we can cause others
to follow along the disobedience path. Therefore, we must make every effort to enter
that rest…and take as many with us as we can.
Another
passage in Hebrews says, “Make every effort
to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see
the Lord.” (Hebrews 12:14 – NIV) Again, live in peace, but we are also
called to be holy. We are to make every effort to be holy.
What
does it mean to be holy? To consecrate, sanctify, dedicate, to be set apart. Another
definition says, “to purify internally by renewing of the soul.”[i]
We become holy because we have God’s presence within us. But there must be
effort on our part. We must make every effort to purify ourselves of sin. God
will finish what we start.
The
last two passages are from 2 Peter. I’ve mentioned the first one recently, so
let’s be reminded of Peter’s words. “For
this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to
goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance;
and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to
brotherly kindness, love.” (2 Peter 1:5-7 – NIV)
And
then there is 2 Peter 3:14 (NIV). “So
then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this [a new heaven and
a new earth], make every effort to be
found spotless, blameless, and at peace with him.” I believe we must put
all of these verses into practice to find ourselves in this place. Spotless. Blameless.
At peace with God. Make every effort. It is worth it.
Three
little words, but so much work! Make every effort. Where do you feel you’re
lacking effort? In what area have you become lazy? Why not make every effort
today in all that you do?
God’s
Spirit is there to help you. He will give you the strength when you are ready
to give up. He will encourage you when you’re failing. He will lead you in the
direction you need to go. Don’t overlook this powerful Assistant. He can make
it seem effortless!
Grace
and peace be yours in abundance,
Donna
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