Christian Service
One unfortunate thing I've observed when the followers of Jesus Christ start to realize we have to be in it for the long haul when being called to subdue the earth, is to start to think in terms of taking dominion as being the equivalent of lording it over people.
Jesus dealt with this by letting His early disciples know that that isn't how we're to view our corporate calling on earth. He let us know that it was those that serve which would be considered the greatest in His kingdom (Mk. 10:44), and that is how we must view obeying the commands of God given to us concerning His kingdom.
Service is what opens the hearts of men to the gospel of Jesus Christ, and those that are willing and able to serve are those that will have the greatest impact on this world, and will do their part most effectively to expand the kingdom of God on the earth.
The kingdom of God is dependent upon there being good ground for the seed of the word to enter and be fruitful, and faithful stewards help to keep the hearts of men and women open to receive the word. This is not only true concerning unbelievers, but believers also, who can have their hearts hardened by difficulties and distractions of this life and be unfruitful unto the Lord. Serving others helps to break up the fallow ground so the word of God can enter in and do what it intends and was meant to.
It's not that God's word won't or can't accomplish what it sets out to do, just that we have a part to play in the process, which is to be servants unto people on behalf of the Lord. This is the reason why Jesus told His disciples that if they didn't understand the parable of the sower they wouldn't be able to understand any of the parables (Mark 4).
Service is the currency of God's kingdom, and it's what, over time, helps to bring the practical presence of God into all of the world. By practical presence I mean living in obedience to his revealed word in the Holy Scriptures.
What I mean by that is God's general presence is everywhere, but that's not what He's after; He already has that by His very essence. What God is after is His practical presence being seen in His people (their character and deeds) around the world in all localities. That is how the glory of the Lord will fill the whole earth. It's practical, and is expected and demanded to be revealed in and by His people … before He returns.
What if Jesus Doesn't Return Soon
False End-time Prophecies and Loss of Functioning of Body of Christ
In the Heart of God before creation
Sit ... Until I Make Thine Enemies Thy Footstool
Some Thoughts on the Last Days
Great Encouragement
Taking Responsibility
Christian Service
Little Things
Progress and the Kingdom
Conclusion
No comments:
Post a Comment