SERVICE OR SERVUS (ME)
When John F. Kennedy made the statement, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what can you do for your country", it was probably the most profound statement of, not only his presidency, but of his life. This philosophical statement is actually the very basis of a great country. America is the envy of the world because of the great people who lived before us, and who unselfishly gave to this country. Let us not forget we are a blessed country, founded on the very principles taken from the Bible. Amen to that. Wouldn't it be wonderful if each person in this country who calls it their country would develop that same pioneering spirit of those who preceded us. Can you imagine what it would be like if we could stop and reverse the ME attitude of this period; Utopia.
The concept of service is the very basis of the mindset that we, as members of God's family, need to consider as the reason we are in the family in the first place; the very reason for Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. Jesus was serving. He was serving the Father's will and our salvation. That is what I call service with a capital S. In the book of Ephesians, chapter 2:10, we read, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." What Paul was saying is:
1) God made each of us to His liking.
2) We are saved through Jesus.
3) We are saved for good works, i.e., to serve others, i.e., to serve God.
4) All this was planned before the beginning of time.
5) And that we do it, i.e., to serve Him and not servUS(me)
I believe that many Christians believe that Jesus sacrificed Himself on the cross (see John 3:16) just for the benefit of our being saved through His shed blood. I also believe that many Christians believe, that as Christians, we should be living the good life and walk the good walk. If this premise is true, and I say if, then we need to revisit Ephesians 2:10, which is telling us that we were created and saved for a life of good deeds to others. When we serve others, we are actually serving God. I remember reading Jesus saying, 'when you did it to that someone you were actually doing it to me.' At this point, I want to clarify some possible confusion about good works and salvation. Good works, all the works in the world have nothing to do with salvation; you can't buy, pay or earn your way into Heaven. Ephesians 2:8, 9 ( and more ) says, "For it is by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; NOT by WORKS, that no one should boast." In other words you were saved FOR good works and not by good works.
Why should we be concerned to do good works if we are already saved? I believe the Bible tells us there are two very good reasons: service to God and for good works unto Him. In Jeremiah 1:5, we read, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations." This applies to each of us, we may not be prophets, but we may be ministers, engineers, doctors, janitors, etc; but we have been chosen to serve Him. 2nd Timothy 1:9 says, "who has saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity." There are many, many verses telling us to serve God in some way. I must confess to you that I have not lived to my responsibility and calling all these years, but this is what is so wonderful about our compassionate and loving God in that He understands and is very patient with us. He is always ready to help. He always gives us the time we need. He allows us to stumble, to fall, to frustrate ourselves and then He says, "welcome."
This second reason is rather interesting. Some of us are going to receive rewards from Him in Heaven. 2nd Corinthians 3:8 says, "Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his labor." Personally, I plan to spend the rest of my time on this earth serving God in some way. I am glad I have time left to do it. If what I am presently doing is the way for me, fine, I am very happy serving the Lord this way. I pray that much fruit will come as a result of my sowing and watering.
To summarize this article, I would like to think that each of us would read and study God's Word to discover for ourselves what this wonderful world of God's love is all about and pray that we will discover the opportunities while we have time to serve Him. As Paul stated in Romans 12:6, "And since we have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let each exercise them accordingly…" Amen.
I remain your friend and servant, Nick Number 19
Proverbs 16:20….. He who gives attention to the word shall find good; and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.
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