"Searching the Scriptures and Seeking the Lost"
The A,B,C’s Of Christian Service
by Wayne Jones
For any organization, secular or religious, to succeed there must be a purposeful effort put forth by those who comprise that organization. In the business world, no company can thrive without the dedicated service of its employees. The same holds true for the church of Jesus Christ. The growth of any local congregation can be directly linked to the amount of work or service that its preachers, elders, deacons and members put into it. It is true that God gives the increase (1 Cor. 3:6). But never let us forget that Paul and Apollos had to plant and water before God would bless that work. Today, we need men and women who will plant and water so that God might increase our faith, numbers and spiritual strength.
The Biblical commands to work literally fill the Inspired Text. The word “work” itself is used over 770 times in Scripture. Among the more noted instances are passages such as 2 Corinthians 9:8, Colossians 1:10, 1 Corinthians 15:58 and Titus 2:14.
The Biblical motivation for serving Christ is also plainly explained in Scripture. Jesus said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15). The story is told of a woman who was married to a man that she did not love. He made her get up every morning at five o’clock, cook his breakfast and serve it to him at six o’clock sharp. He made her wait on him and was exacting in his demands of her time. Her life was miserable. Finally, he died. After a few years she married again to a man she deeply loved. One day while cleaning she came across some old papers on which were listed the demands and rules of her former husband. She then realized that she was doing all of these things for her new husband, but she was not miserable. In fact she was happier than she had ever been. Her happiness was because she was working out of love’s sake. Truly, “in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love” (Gal. 5:6).
Having pointed out that the main motivation for our Christian work is love, let us now consider three supplementary reasons for working for Christ. If love is taken out of the equation, these other reasons will not work. But as long as we love Christ, we can use these other three reasons as motivation. Remembering them is as easy as A, B, C.
A – Avoid Falling Back Into Sin
There is nothing more beautiful than the sight of a newborn Christian. We know that salvation is the result of the new birth (John 3:3). We also understand that this new birth is in water (John 3:5). When we are born of water according to the Spirit’s command, we are washed from our sins and stand pure before God (Eph. 5:26). To illustrate this beautiful sight, John described the church as the bride of Christ (Rev. 21:2).
However, there is nothing anymore ugly than the sight of a pure, washed child of God who again stains their soul in sin (2 Pet. 2:20-22). One way to insure that this does not happen is to remain busy in the work of the church – working will help us avoid falling back into sin.
Mark 12:43-45 contains the illustration of a man out of whom a demon had been cast. This man did not replace that empty place in his soul with any good or anything bad. He simply left it empty. When the demon returned he brought more demons with him because the man’s life was still empty. Likewise, if all we do at our conversion is empty our lives of sin, but we do not fill it with good works and good deeds, there will be room for the devil when he returns. Paul encouraged that the Colossians to put off the old man and his deeds (Col 3:9), but they were to replace that with the new man and his deeds (Col 3:10-16). He also commanded the Ephesians to put off the old man (Eph. 4:22), but to replace that with the new man (Eph. 4:24).
You and I can avoid a return to sin by filling our lives with the work that Christ gave us to do.
B – Bring Glory To God
The world attempts to give glory to God in many ways. Some try through militant, earthly aggression for a “religious” cause. Others try through a touchdown pass or a home run. Still others try through denominational worship, man-made doctrines or earthly founded organizations of benevolence. Dear reader, the Bible makes is very clear that God will only receive glory through the church for which His son died: “to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Eph. 3:21).
These works are not done to impress men or to bring honor to our name, but to lift His name above all names and give Him glory (Matt. 5:13-15; Eph. 2:20; 1 Pet. 2:12; Titus 3:8; 1 Cor. 6:20)!
C – Christ Is Coming Again
There have always been those who have doubted Christ’s second coming. We have these today, through their teachings (unbelievers) and actions (members) that place doubt on His second coming. Peter wrote to answer these individuals: “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Pet. 3:9).
We have full assurance through inspired recorded that Christ will come again. He promised it (John 14:3). The angle insured it (Acts 1:11). Paul confirmed it (2 Thess. 1:7). Just as every other promise of God has come to pass, so shall the Lord return to judge the world.
Because of this assured return, we must busy about His business until that day. Just as there was a limited time of work for Christ, so is our time of work limited: “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work” (John 9:4). Paul used the approaching day of judgement (2 Cor. 5:10) as a reason to preach the Gospel in hopes of persuading men to obey (2 Cor. 5:11). In other words, Paul worked for Christ because one day Christ is going to return.
The day of rest will come after Christ returns and not before (2 Thess. 1:7). To sit down any earlier and cease from our works is to fall short of God’s expectations of us (1 Thess. 5:6).