A Mind to Work


"So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half
thereof: for the people had a mind to work (Nehemiah 4:6)."  This passage
from the Old Testament is referring to the rebuilding of the walls of
Jerusalem. Nehemiah was serving Artaxerxes, king of Persia, when one of his
brethren came and told him of the plight of the Jews in Jerusalem and of the
state of the city walls. Nehemiah was so moved by this that he petitioned
the king to allow him time and resources to go to Jerusalem and rebuild the
wall. It was of the utmost importance that the city, of which God called
"the place that I have chosen to set my name there" (Neh. 1:9), be repaired.
Imagine what we could accomplish today if we, as Christians, "had a mind to
work".
	First and most importantly, we would fulfill the 'great' commission
given to us by our Lord Jesus Christ: "All power is given unto me in heaven
and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the
name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to
observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.(Matt. 28:18-20)". There
was a point in time in which all had been taught the gospel (Colossians
1:23) but many generations have passed since that time. It is up to us today
to make sure everyone hears the gospel. Only by hearing the word of God can
people believe (Romans 10:17) and develop faith necessary to please Him
(Heb. 11:6). Looking back to the beginning of the church, we have proof that
with faith and zeal for God great things can be accomplished. After the
apostle Peter finished his first recorded sermon (Acts 2:14-36), the
scripture tells us that "they that gladly received his word were baptized:
and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls"
(Acts 2:41). If it could happen then it can happen now! 
	Secondly, if we had a mind to work, we could encourage and
strengthen many more of our brethren to remain faithful. At one time, the
apostle Paul was known as Saul, a persecutor of the church. After the
conversion of Paul, scripture tells us that "the churches rest" and they
"walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost, were
multiplied" (Acts 9:31). It was not simply the conversion of Paul that
caused the brethren to be comforted but also what Paul was then teaching
them. Paul taught the "word of his grace is able to build you up" (Acts
20:32). 1 Thessalonians 5:11 also teaches that part of our responsibility is
to edify (encourage, build up) one another. According to Ephesians 4:11-12,
part of the reason that some of us are on this Earth is to strengthen our
brethren. Imagine if all of us cared enough about our brethren to make sure
they were remaining strong and faithful. Jesus would then be even busier
preparing "a place for you" (John 14:2-3).
	There are so many things that Christians as a whole could accomplish
if we indeed "had a mind to work". The old saying "there is strength in
numbers" is true even for the disciples of Jesus. The more people that get
out and teach and encourage others, the more people that will get into
heaven. And isn't that what we all should want?  

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