Churches of all denominations, all over the United States, have difficulty retaining those who come and profess faith in Christ. A person who comes to faith in Christ is a “new creation” having been born again. This new Christian is not born fully developed and spiritually mature. Just before ascending to heaven, Jesus gave us a command: make disciples by baptizing and teaching all that He has commanded. The Bible makes it very clear that new believers are to be in the process of being conformed to the image of Christ. If new believers leave the church soon after trusting Christ, it is virtually impossible to make disciples and help them to be conformed to the image of Christ. Is there a magic program out there that will ensure that new believers regularly and consistently attend church for the rest of their lives? No, there isn’t. However, perhaps there is something you and I can do that will make it more likely.
It seems to me that living a life of praise and thanksgiving to God will cause many who might otherwise fall away to remain. Colossians 3:15-17 sheds some light, Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. (NASU) Surely you noticed the theme in these verses: praise and thanksgiving. The Christian life grows in the soil of praise and thanksgiving to God. If my life is Christ-centered, then praise and thanksgiving will be present in my life. I will not have to work at it; it will be a natural fruit springing forth from the fact that Christ is at the center of my life.
A few verses later, the sentiments in verse 17 are repeated in verses 23-24, Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. (NASU) Repetition in the Scripture is there to draw your attention. When we understand that we owe our very lives and everything we have to God, praise and thanksgiving will be a natural result. We will also come to understand that there is no real division between what we call secular and what we call sacred. No matter what we do, work, rest, recreation, ministry, etc., it must be done with the attitude that it is the Lord whom we are serving. Understanding this truth will change everything in your life. Work will become more meaningful and satisfying. You will be more productive in your job. Others will appreciate you more. Others will want to know what makes you the way that you are. Rest will become more restful when you “do it as unto the Lord”. You will be able to relax in a way that you never experienced before. Recreation will become more pleasurable and refreshing when you “do it in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God”.
When you live a life of praise and thanksgiving, realizing that all that you do is in the name of the Lord, those around you will want to be around you and to know what makes your life the way that it is. Perhaps that is the secret to discipleship.
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