First Baptist Church

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Keep Doing What You’re Doing, but Do It Better

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It might seem strange that an article during the Christmas season would have the title, “Keep Doing What You’re Doing, but Do It Better”. During a season where we are doing a lot of things we don’t normally do, why focus on what we are doing? Excellent question. Thanks for asking. Consider the following scripture:

“Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more, and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need.” (1Thessalonians 4:9–12, NASB95)

What was Paul asking of them and what is he asking of us?

First, it is true that we are doing some unique things that normally just happen at this time of year. For instance, the Salvation Army sets out red kettles and rings bells to attract donations. Many of us who would normally not consider giving money to a church we don’t attend happily give money to these fundraisers and almost no one complains that all the church wants is their money. That is unique to Christmas. It is done because we are thinking about gifts and giving. If we want to do this, but to do it better, why not think about giving year-round? Not just to our churches, although that must come first according to the book of Malachi, but we should look for ways to give to people in our churches who are in need or neighbors or people and organizations in our communities.

Second, it is true that we are focused more on the incarnation of Christ during the Christmas season and this is a good thing. Regardless of the fact that Jesus was not actually born on December 25, the celebration of His birth causes us to think more about His nearness and the nearness of His return than we normally do. What if we spent more time thinking about His nearness the rest of the year? What if we excelled more and more at this and let it inform our thinking, values, and even the way we spend our time and invest in our relationships? What if we set up specific times throughout the year to invite people to our houses to have a meal and tell them our story of how we have been drawn near to God through His Son?

Additionally, Christmas is a time of more focused participation in church and church activities. Churches are busier about communicating the gospel through the Christmas season and even design services, outreaches, and efforts to include those who are not yet a part of the Kingdom. What if we were more purposeful all throughout the year to be doing these things? What if every church member had their eyes constantly open to opportunities to reach the lost, minister to needs, and to invite others in? What if those members all came together throughout the year to help see that each one of those plans, programs and precepts were carried out? How much more could we accomplish for the Kingdom by excelling at this more and more?

During this Christmas season, let’s take time to think about how we are doing in our walk with Christ and how our churches are doing with engaging the lostness around us. Let’s decide to move forward and excel in the things we are doing. Whether it is our prayer life, bible study, church involvement, outreach efforts, financial contributions, or any other area that we are already faithful, why not resolve in our hearts that under the inspiration and enablement of the Holy Spirit we will excel still yet more and more and more to the glory of God? That way, Christmas is not just once a year, but is the gift of a lifetime.