Your Place of Service
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24)
When you receive Jesus as Saviour, you become God’s servant. Romans 6:22 says, “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” (boldface added) Our opening verse also says, “…ye serve the Lord Christ.”
In fact, we’re not just the Lord’s servants in the sense of employees, but we belong to Him. He literally owns us: “And ye are Christ’s;” (1 Corinthians 3:23) 1 Peter 1:17-18 also says how Jesus has redeemed us; not “…with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ,” Jesus didn’t redeem us with money, but with His precious blood that He shed on the cross when He died for our sins.
Jesus also said, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” (John 10:28) That means we belong to Jesus forever!
Jesus is also our Lord, and we’re His servants. When you think of someone serving the Lord, you may think of a pastor or missionary. Yet Christians in regular jobs are just as much Jesus’ servants like those in ministry. A Christian plumber or electrician is just as much God’s servant as a preacher.
The Great Commission-“Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15) is also for everyone. All Christians should strive to win people to Jesus.
The Bible also says a lot about non-ministry jobs. God chose Joseph, who was a carpenter, to be Jesus’ stepfather. Jesus Himself worked as a carpenter. Once as He taught in the synagogue, people heard His wisdom and asked, “Is not this the carpenter,…?” (Mark 6:3)
Luke the gospel writer was also a doctor: “Luke, the beloved physician, and Demas, greet you.” (Colossians 4:14) Paul the apostle was also a tentmaker: “…he abode with them [his friends Aquila and his wife Priscilla] and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.” (Acts 18:3) The virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 is business-savvy and industrious: “She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.” (Proverbs 31:24)
If you’re saved and work a regular job, you’re Jesus’ servant in that job. If you’re a cop, you’re a servant of Christ who is a cop. If you’re in politics, you’re a servant of Christ in politics. Whatever your job, do it “…heartily, as unto the Lord,” as if Jesus were your boss; which He is, anyway.
At times, you can become weary of serving the Lord. At times like those, it’s good to spend time in God’s Word. Through the precious words of the Bible, God knows how to minister to our hearts and refresh us, and “…how to speak a word in season to him that is weary:” (Isaiah 50:4)
Jesus also said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) When co-workers see industry, integrity, and a kind, Christlike attitude in you, God is glorified. Your faithful service can also open a door to talk about Jesus with people whom other Christians, even a preacher, may not be able to reach.
Finally, if you want to see in the Bible how to have eternal life by receiving Jesus as Saviour, please go to www.clevelandbaptist.org, click “Helpful Links,” then “How Do I Go to Heaven?”
Brian Miller 1/18/2022
Cleveland Baptist Church 4431 Tiedeman Road, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144 216/671-2822