How to Wisely Benefit from Rendering Service Unto God

Pledge by the Christian. The sacrifice of Christ should evoke a responsive sense of duty in all who have benefited from it. This sense of duty is two-fold: duty towards the body of Christ and duty to the world. And just as Christ our Lord suffered to make the great sacrifice for us, the Christian pilgrim must wisely make every effort, enduring sufferings inclusive, to live out the duties evoked by the sufferings of Christ.

Christ has not promised that all hardships will disappear once we appropriate His sacrifice. He was quite aware that the system of this world is opposed to the tenets of the life and faith He expects of disciples. He predicted the persecution, hardship and discrimination that they must go through in their pilgrimage in John 15 v 20-25).

Apostle Paul was also quite direct in stating what the Christian must endure in a world and system controlled by Satan and his agents. A world in which the commands of God are alien and unpopular. (2 Timothy 3 v 12).

The Christian then must wisely comprehend the two sides of his or her faith. First, the advantages of Calvary, that is, eternal life, peace and fellowship with God here on earth, fulfillment of the various promises of God etc; and secondly, the oppositions, persecution and afflictions that will attend your way, and brought on by Satan who will do everything to frustrate you on your service.

While in this world, the wise Christian pilgrim in balancing these two sides of your faith, must focus on the glory set before you. You must give your all to the Master. You must consider His demands on your life and rise up to meet such demands.

First and early enough in your journey, the christian believer must enter into a lifelong covenant of total consecration to God. You must settle in your mind that this consecration shall not be broken by any situation, occurrence or influence of people.

In adverse situations, rather than being moody and wallowing in self-pity, the Christian pilgrim must praise the Lord. You should thank God for the privilege of being like your Saviour who endured hardship for the glory set before Him. You should be confident that if you endure to the end, as your Lord was exalted, you will also be exalted and will reign with Him.

Secondly the Christian must be responsive to his or her obligations towards the body of Christ. One way of doing this is by bearing the burden of others. As we fellowship here on earth, we are mandated to strengthen and comfort one another. Apostle Paul in Galatians 6 v 2 enjoins believers to bear one another's burdens and so fulfil the law of Christ.

Moreover, as we serve others, hardship, misunderstanding and opposition may arise. Those must be endured knowing that our service is unto the Lord who will not forget our labour of love.

Thirdly, to appreciate the love, sacrifice and suffering of Christ, the wise Christian pilgrim must render wholehearted service unto the Lord in the church - singing in the choir, ushering, teaching, cleaning etc. The Lord needs the service of His followers to keep His body (the church) nourished and better able to withstand the wiles of the evil one. A responsive and wise pilgrim will not just just sit in the pew and watch the work suffer.

Furthermore, the service rendered unto Lord must not be one of convenience. Effective service overcomes all obstacles and persecution on its way. Like our Master's giving, it must be sacrificial. It must be a willing sacrifice. Not enforced or procured.

Salvation, sanctification, success, prosperity, healing, provision, deliverance and whatsoever is needed for our peace and joy in this world and in the world to come have been provided for at the cross of Calvary. What a loving Saviour who gave His life for us! You should be wise and contribute to his service.

Source: © CHRISTIAN WOMEN MIRROR Magazine.