We often perform our work in response to something, or to fulfill some purpose. We do our homework in response to a teacher’s assignment. We do our work according to the responsibilities our boss gave us. We take care of our family based on the needs we see. We amuse ourselves with different activities for rest and recreation. We fill Christmas boxes with the intention of donating them as gifts to the poor. Our activities are either self-directed (serving our own interests) or directed to others.
We work to fulfill the obligations to others, like our teachers, boss, and crusade to feed the poor, even doing the work in the absence of the leaders. In the same way, we read God’s word and follow its directions as though God himself is telling us what to do. So we can serve God even though we can’t see him, just like we can do our homework in the absence of our teacher.
Morning by morning, or in the evening, we spend time in the word of God to learn of Christ, how we are to see this life, then respond to what we received. As a result of reading, perhaps our perspective changes, or we must work on a bad habit or develop a new habit, or we need to obey in some other way. In prayer we talk to God; through the word God talks to us.
In Romans chapter six, we see another sense of serving. There, we learn that we are slaves 24 hours a day. We are slaves to serve our body’s feelings and desires, or we are slaves to serve God (Romans 6:16). Our bodily feelings and desires do not urge us to serve or honor God, but to fulfill its own desires as soon as the desire is felt. Many of these desires are sinful: having sex apart from your spouse, gossiping, hatred without just cause, worry and anxiety, lustful thoughts, strongly desiring what others have, spreading lies, sense of superiority over others, drunkenness, hurting others, murdering, apathy toward the things of God, and the list goes on.
When we surrender to follow these urges of the flesh, we are said to be slaves of the flesh, slaves of sin (Romans 6:20). In those times, we are not serving God, but our bodies. This is like office workers drifting away from their responsibilities and goofing off while the boss is out. They serve their own pleasure rather than fulfilling what is expected of them.
To be a slave of Jesus, his servant, we yield ourselves to serve him (Romans 6:13). When we find the body or mind urging us on in sinful ways, we take that moment to immediately yield to God afresh, that we may keep ourselves as servants of Jesus.
The boss and teacher expects you to use your talents and abilities, your mind and strength, to fulfill your responsibilities. God expects you to employ your heart, mind, talents, personality, reasoning, bodily strength and abilities, and all that you have in service to him. When the bible says to do good to others (Galatians 6:10), then you observe what’s needed by the people and go to work with what you have.
What do you have? God equips all his workers for the work. We have received from God different traits and abilities in unique combinations that can make our service unique – or like everyone else’s. The bible tells us to spread the gospel (Mark 16:13). According to my ability I have done so: I have used my graphic arts abilities to create gospel tracts to hand out. I gave magic shows to share the good news. I acted out in pantomime to show one’s faith in God. I write articles in my blog to help others understand the bible better. I wrote books; I created iPhone and Android smartphone apps; I use calligraphy; I created a slideshow on YouTube. I shared the gospel to others on the street at a local pier. Of course, I strive to live out the life of Christ in whatever I do – the gospel in everyday life.
You cannot serve your boss well if you don’t know him or the work of the company. In some big companies, new employees get a handbook to help them understand the company’s standards and goals. You cannot serve Jesus well if you don’t know him. The bible is given that we may know Christ and live for him.
I cannot see Christ, but that does not stop me from aiming my work to please him. I can’t see the teacher when I’m doing my homework, but that does not stop me from doing it according to her written guidelines. I cannot see my boss while in my office, but I can carry out the responsibilities of my job title in a way that would honor him and the company.
Go and do likewise to glorify Christ.
