“For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.”
Memory Verse: “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” I Peter 4:10
What’s happening to “serving” in today’s world? Where are all the children of God called by His name? It’s a major concern when a stranger enters an environment and is unable differentiate a believer from an non believer because pretty much everyone behaves exactly the same way and even worse is when we go into church environment, people are no longer ready or willing to serve. What we see now is people coming in with luxurious cars, beautiful attires, competition on having the best seats reserved in church, exemption from service and the likes. There’s nothing wrong in having wealth and living well but the major concern is the shift from our God called focus on humility and service towards the things of the world. Basically we are now replacing service to God with the financial support we render to the house of God.
Every child of God has been saved by the blood of Jesus and in that, saved to serve. The very position we are appointed to in the house of God is that of service and this is no different irrespective of what the position is called. In place of that, what we see is the quick embrace the world and glorying in the titles we are given without actually focusing on the productivity involved; “soul winning through service”. We seem to neglect the part where we are supposed to be serving, instead our preference is more about getting served.
God did not save you to increase the numbers of His children. You are saved to actively engage in harvest. Jesus said in Matthew 9:37 “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.” Just as there is no part our body that is non-functional so also there should be nobody that considers themselves as a body of Christ who is nonfunctioning.
A non-functioning person who is able and capable to serve is the House of God is malfunctioning!
God saved us from our sins to serve Him in some ways with everything He has given to us. We cannot just be enjoying the beauty of the world or fellowshipping with other brethren in Christ and be inactive. What then will be said about your contribution to the body of Christ? Everyone in the bible who has a relationship with God served Him with everything they had. Abraham, Moses, Joshua, Paul, Timothy, Elijah, Elisha are just a list of few who spent their lives in service to God and we see from various scriptures that they lived totally for God.
A humble Sunday school teacher in church is of more to God than a rich me member who has nothing to offer to God. We need to understand clearly that God is not moved by titles or riches and fame but is more interested in those who serve Him in spirit and truth.
We cannot earn Gods favor in any way no matter how hard we try to, not even in service if we are not saved. There is no such thing as just tagging along to support the work of God without first being saved and adopted into the family of Christ. So it’s important to examine ourselves carefully and ask the question am I saved? Of what use is a beautiful interior of a house without a good foundation? It will fast crumble and be blown away by worldly winds just like chaffs.
Serving Jesus is non-negotiable once you are saved. It is mandatory and should not be considered as something we can choose to do or not to do. We cannot just think we are volunteering our free time for God as at when we think we have it. Every Christian is called to serve in various ways and we must quickly realise that God did not call us to just sit around.
PRAYERS:
- Father I thank you for your word that gives life, light and understanding
- I am sorry Lord for every form of idleness I have exhibited in your house
- Shift my focus back to serving you diligently O Lord, I renounce laziness today
- The grace to live a life of righteousness and accompany it with good works, I receive today
- I surrender all to you O Lord and focus on you solely.
- Forgive me of my shortcomings o Lord and help me to live above sin
- Receive my sacrifice of praise for in Jesus mighty name I pray, AMEN.
