Often times the word "function" is confused with the word "perform". I've heard it said "I can't function without first having my coffee in the morning", or "I can't function without a full night of sleep"... Although both of those may have something to do with how well we perform, neither of those things determine whether or not we function.So what's the difference? Is there anything that we simply cannot do without, that will allow or prevent us from functioning? Before we just declare that our ability to function can be altered without something like coffee and sleep, among other things people think they just can not "function" without, first we need to determine the difference between function and perform. As professed Christians, the difference really does matter.
func·tion
[fuhngk-shuh
n] the purpose for which something is designed or exists
per·form
[per-fawrm]to go through or execute in a customary or established manner
Obviously, we each have a predestined function established by God when we were lovingly and skillfully created. It's what God wants of us, out of the individual creation He designed for us to be, bringing Him glory. How we perform is just our own day to day interpretation of how we think things are supposed to go. It's a habit, a customary way we get used to doing things, usually based on self wants and pleasures and what we feel needs to be done.
So what is our function? Solomon spoke in God's word about honoring God through all aspects of our thoughts and lives by fearing God and obeying Him. He summarized it himself at the end of Ecclesiastes.
Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.
(Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
We should also be keeping things in a Godly perspective. For David, his ultimate satisfaction would come to him when this life on Earth is done, and we embark on all heaven has to offer. Like Asaph in Psalm 73, our relationship with God should be the most important thing to us... because without that relationship, we ultimately let go of our purpose... our function. Even Paul, in Philippians chapter three, compares everything else to the equivalent of dung.
As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.
(Psalm 17:15)
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
(I John 3:2)
Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee.
(Psalm 73:25)
Now that we know what our function should be, what is our performance? What is the customary way we go through our life on a day to day basis? It's so easy to get things off track through the simple "little things" in life that we think is important for us in the now. Then we assume God has left us, or doesn't care enough about us to see us through our circumstance... when all along it was simply our own selfish and rebellious ways that fell short of the glory of God.
Think about your daily routine. Do you set specific time aside for just you and God? Do you include Him throughout your day, every day? Not just Sundays, or when there's a church event or fellowship activity, and certainly not just when you're in the company of fellow "Christian" friends.
What music do you listen to, and is it glorifying to God? Or maybe it's just a "good" song that gets your toe tapping, yet has nothing to do with the Lord. What words do you speak to others, and do they reflect God's goodness in your life? Or maybe they are full of negativity, condemnation, judgement, ridicule, gossip, and worldly things (whether you realize it or not). Do you seek Him in His word? Or perhaps the latest book on vampires or romance is more interesting to your fleshly desires, that time in the word of God is put on the back burner to catch up on later. What shows are you recording on your DVR? Do they minister to your soul, teaching and guiding you in a way that will reflect the Lord in your life? Perhaps it's more entertaining to see who has slept with who in your favorite soap, who's chosen who in the current reality show, or laughing at the way a wife trashes her husband's character in a liberal sitcom as she insists on wearing the pants in the family. Is your household run on God's terms? Or maybe it's easier to just let the kids do what they're going to do to avoid conflict.
Everything we do, watch, say, listen to, and allow to happen in our lives should glorify God... no if's, and's or but's. If it does not glorify God, you are hindering your walk with Him, and retracting yourself from the many blessings He has available to you! Those "small things" that seem so harmless provide a way for the enemy to step in and conquer your spirit, a little at a time, until he is sitting back in comfort watching your life twist itself right out of God's will. Before you know it, you've conformed yourself to the world, rather than the will of God.
And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
(Romans 12:2)
So how do we get back to our function instead of being stuck in a poor performance that lacks the will of God, the teachings of the Lord, and the fruits of the Spirit? Being a Christian is more than just a title. It's a lifestyle. It's a way of reflecting Christ to others, strangers and loved ones alike, in everything about us... not just the things we decide to reflect because it's comfortable or convenient. Being a Christian should set us apart from the world, not just blend us in with it as a "good guy" among the rest. Yes, we all do fall short of the glory of God, we do sin, we make mistakes. However, the blood Christ shed on Calvary covers a manifest of sin!
Repentance is the first step. Confess the errors in your life to the Lord, give those errors to Him, and ask Him to guide you, helping you to avoid the same mistakes again. Confessing Jesus as your Lord and Savior goes beyond just words. It should mean a lifestyle change... and we can't do that on our own! Although God's will may be sought, and the teaching of Jesus are an example of how we are to live, we are also given a Comforter through the Holy Spirit that can intercede for us, to direct and guide us through our walk with the Lord. In fact, in Acts chapter one, Jesus commanded them to wait, because there was more for them beyond just salvation and baptism of water that was used as a sign of the new covenant with God, and to be baptized in the Holy Ghost. Power is given to us through this baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8), and that power makes intercession for us (Romans 8:26)!
We have been given everything we could possibly need to function! It's up to us to make our performance a reflection of the Lord rather than a reflection of the flesh... it's literally a matter of eternal life and eternal condemnation!
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
(Mark 16:15-18)
