A basic truth needs to be fully understood if we, as disciples of Jesus Christ, intend to mature in our walk, and that is this: we did not come to Christ that we may continue running our lives, nor did He grant us so great a salvation so that we could go on serving ourselves. Salvation is an exchanged life, a transfer of ownership. Whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. He has paid the price for our eternal soul and it is He who owns us, not ourselves.
Secondly, salvation is a call to service. Believers have been purged in their conscience from dead, meaningless, ritualistic works in order to serve the living God. Whereas many people believe that by their works God would save them, Scripture declares just the opposite. However, the effect of true salvation will be the service of God by good works.
The Thessalonians were idolators who gave their hearts to Jesus and, as a result, began a life of serving their King. The Gentiles in Corinth also lived their lives, before Christ, serving idols, as did the Galatians. Jesus told Satan face to face that it has always been the purpose of man to serve his Creator only. To serve God is not a duty, nor is it a punishment; rather, it’s a divine opportunity to be like Jesus. To serve Jesus daily requires following (imitating) Him, and will result in honor.
Paul the apostle formerly served a religious system and tradition but, after meeting Christ, he served Him. Can we say before God that we are servants of Jesus Christ unconditionally? We’ve been freed from self-service to Son-service. This love from above also changes our attitudes towards others, doesn’t it? I no longer want to use you; I want to serve you.
Saints, remove those shackles of “self” and realize that you serve the Lord Christ. That service includes prayer for one another. With a motive of love, may we today “serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.” A “faith” that fails to produce service is a fraud.
