What Does It Take?

                                                                                                                                            Vol. VIII, No. 3, March 1995

[This Easter article is reprinted with permission from the newsletter of Petsworth Baptist Church, Gloucester, Charles W. Callis, Jr., pastor.]

In the weeks ahead as we prepare to celebrate the resurrection of our Lord on Easter, it is advisable that we take time to examine what it took to get to that point of victory. We all know the familiar story of the death of our Lord that had to precede the victory of Easter, or do we?

Do we really know what it took for our Lord to carry out the will of the Father? Do we really know what it takes for us to do the will of the Father? I am certain of one thing: it takes courage to do what Jesus did. It also takes courage to be a faithful member of a family that is misunderstood by the world. I believe it took great discipline on the part of our Lord to accomplish His mission here on earth. Likewise it takes discipline to accomplish the tasks God has set out for His children today. Certainly it took vision for Jesus to look beyond the grave. It takes vision to see past inevitable problems and to see what God wants to do in His church today. It took incredible endurance for our Lord to follow through with the will of the Father. Remember, He could have called legions of angels to rescue Him. For us, it takes endurance to die to self and live the life God would have us to live. Above all else it took love for Jesus to be crucified for us when we knew Him not. And it takes love to reach out in tender, sacrificial, radical love to those around us.

In a word, as one of my favorite authors puts it, "it takes character." As undeserving as we are, it is just that ... Christ's character that God offers us when we ask for it. He does this through the work of the Holy Spirit. "We all ... beholding the glory of the Lord are being changed into His likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit" (2 Cor. 3:18). The Holy Spirit will write Jesus' own character on our hearts: "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control" (Gal. 5:22-23).

Many secular thinkers know that character development is one of the most important tasks facing this generation. Without it, our nation, our families, and millions of individuals are in grave danger. With it, strength and success are still possible. But character development is a difficult task. Character qualities are caught not taught. That is exactly what God offers; the best example of character ... Jesus Christ.

The more I learn about Jesus Christ the more I love Him. I realize He is worthy of all my adoration, devotion and praise. He is worthy of my whole life's service.

I challenge you to look at what it takes in your life to do the will of the Father. May God bless you as you earnestly seek Him.