Dec. 20, 2013
ONLY THE MASTERS APPROVAL MATTERS!!!
“ Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15
A story is told of a young boy giving his first violin recital. He had studied hard for years under the guidance of one of the greatest masters in all of Europe. The boy had outstanding talents a feat very few his age accomplishes.
As he stood on the stage before an audience of hundreds of music lovers, he performed with great proficiency after each selection, as the crowd cheered him on.
He was the finest young performer they had ever had the pleasure of hearing. And yet the boy seemed not to notice. In fact, some later commented that he almost seemed annoyed by the applause. At the conclusion of the recital, the entire audience rose and gave the young performer a standing ovation as they shouted “Bravo, Bravo, Encore, Encore” and other words of praise and appreciation, throughout the theater.
However, the young musician was motionless as if not to hear his surroundings. Instead, he stood looking up into the balcony where an old, withered man sat, looking back down at him. Finally after some consideration, the old gentleman smiled and nodded his head in approval.
Only then did the boy seem relieved as if a weight had been lifted off his shoulders, as his young face beamed with joy and delight. You see, the cheers of the crowd meant nothing, the praise was meaningless unless he had the approval of the Master!
Like Paul who urges Timothy to “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be
ashamed,” My friends as a Child of the king at this point on our Journey nothing maters but the approval of the Master because it is only His approval that will shape our character for eternity.
My friends we must always seek God’s presence in our life, and in so doing once this race is over the Master will be able to give us His nod of approval and say “Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!” Matt. 25:23
As you noticed in the story, the young prodigies focus was only on the Master and not his surroundings. So it is with each of God’s chosen, nothing of this world should cause us to deviate from what it will take to receive the mercy, grace and approval from the Master.
My friends oh what FAITH, PERSEVERANCE, ENDURANCE, DETERMINATION, and HARD WORK it will take to finish the course, and cross the finish line. And this can only happen if we have “laid aside every weight, and (SOCIALLY ACCEPTABLE SINS) which so easily ensnares us,” as we run the course with endurance like Christ, the “author and finisher of our Character.”
For it is He that gives us the vision of Hope and the Passion to be like Him. Remember my friends we are God’s prodigy, He has “formed us from the dust of the ground, and created us in the likeness of His image” which allows all we come in contact with to see through our actions that we are a child of the King.
My friends one day we must all face our righteous Judge, who will judged us on our faith as a student, and our performance here on this earth, and the choices each of us has made throughout our life. So that is why it is so important to be in the presence of the Master at all times.
Like Solomon who tells us in Solomon 1:14 “I observed every activity done on earth. My conclusion: all of it is pointless like chasing after the wind.” So for each of us who have decided to “finish this race we must remember, we are running to obtain that prize from the Masters which is eternal life.
“Thus I fight: “not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my Mind and body and bring it into subjection,” For the approval of Christ who gave it all for my Salvation. And as we Study and pray and hold on to our Faith and the promises in God’s word which tells me once I have finish the course. “there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing 2 Timothy 4:8
So my friends today. Stay focused, remain faithful, love one another and endure till the end and never forget to STUDY&PRAY
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