One Job

I love the meme format of “you had one job.” As human beings, we have one job. It turns out to be a very difficult job. It’s been that way since the beginning of mankind.

Solomon said that at the end of the matter when all has been heard, the whole duty of man is to “fear God and keep His commandments” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). That is two things, but also, fearing is a commandment, and obeying depends on fearing, so they are also one thing.

I am not wiser than Solomon, but if I was to offer another way to say it: when all has been heard, say amen. And this is heart to mouth, hands and feet. It’s what we believe, which is connected to how we behave.

Amen is an agreement. When God says something, our one job is to agree. When God gives a law, we amen by hearing and doing. When God gives a truth, we amen by receiving it, by remembering it, by rejoicing over it.

So the word in 1 John 1:9, “if we confess our sins,” is the idea of saying the same thing. It’s part of knowing if you’ve said amen. Can you repeat it back, in His exact words, or in your own words but spot on?

Eve did not say the same thing as God about the fruit in the garden. Adam did not say the same thing as God to his wife. In different ways, they decided for themselves, and they died.

• when you’ve lied, say what God says about it, ask forgiveness and speak the truth
• when you’ve lusted, say what God says about it, ask forgiveness and delete the app
• when you’ve gotten angry, say what God says about it, ask forgiveness and work toward patience
• when you’re anxious, say what God says about it, ask forgiveness and humble yourself under God’s mighty hand
• when you’ve disobeyed your parents, say what God says about it, ask forgiveness and honor your mother and father

It’s all one job. For your soul, for your relationships, for our worship, say, Amen!