For a while, back a few years, I felt like I was getting to be a fat Christian. Not just physically fat, but spiritually fat as well. What is a fat Christian? It is someone who keeps taking in more and more teaching (good teaching), and who doesn’t go out and give out some of what was taken in. I felt like I was getting a lot of good Bible teaching, but I wasn’t exercising by sharing with others who needed it. I was giving money, but I wasn’t giving of myself. I getting to be a FAT Christian.

Paul exhorts Timothy, “what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.” (2 Timothy 2:2 ESV) One of the purposes of learning God’s Word is to share it with others. Jesus said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19 ESV) Jesus promises to give us the same authority that has been given to Him, but we have to get off our backside and move into a culture that may be hostile, but definitely needs to hear the Good News. They need to see people living it out.

In Romans 12:1 Paul is urging the Roman believers to “present (their) bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.” (ESV) Giving our bodies as a living sacrifice means giving to God all that we are, even physically; all that we do in our bodies, even all that we eat as a sacrifice to Him. It is like saying, “I’m yours, body, soul, and spirit. Use me in whatever you see fit for your glory.”

I feel that sometimes the appeal is missing today in our churches, even during the many special meetings that occur in our church life. When we have a special missions emphasis weekend, do we give people the opportunity to get involved physically? Do we give concrete opportunities to get involved? Do we challenge people to consider becoming a missionary, or even reaching out in our own backyard? Finances are totally important, and prayer is primary in any endeavor, but are we missing the opportunity to get people involved physically to exercise their spiritual and physical muscles?

Active learning means the student is being actively involved in activities to help the learning process. Being an active Christian means becoming involved in the lives of others who need it. Jesus said the greatest commandment is to love God, but the second greatest commandment is to love others. It takes time and being physically present to build relationships and make others feel you really care about them.

In America, we are so independent we fail to think about others. Other cultures put much emphasis on relationships and taking time with others. When building relationships with refugees, you don’t just race through a visit to drop something off or just to see if they need anything. Our American culture would say, just do it and get on your way, ten minutes at the most. Other cultures say, stop and have some tea, tell us how you are doing, ask how we are doing… This may take an hour or two.

The challenge is to present our bodies a living sacrifice and be ready to do whatever God is calling you to do. Solomon, in his book about the vanity of life, encourages his readers, “Whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your might. (Eccl. 9:10 ESV) ” It’s what you do for Christ that counts as a result of what God has done for us. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” (Col. 3:23 ESV) People see what sort of character we are through the things we do. These deeds are not to gain salvation, but as a result of salvation. It is thanksgiving for what God has already done. God planned these works for us way before we were born. “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Eph. 2:10 ESV) God planned to bring things into our lives to shape us and mold us for the work he has for us to do. It is not a burden, and not a have-to mentality, but it is a blessing and brings real joy in serving Him. “Let your light so shine before others, that they may see your good works and give glory to your father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 5.16) People see the things that you do and thank God for bringing you into their lives.

Finally, “I can do all things God has called me to do through Christ who strengthens me.” (Italics mine) (Philippians 4:13 ESV). Just do it!