Serving the Lord

“Always abounding in the work of the Lord”  1 Corinthians 15.58

What is the work of the Lord?

       Many of us spend the greater part of our lives struggling to survive.  We apply the best of our day at work, to make an income. Some time is spent with family and a little consideration may be given to Christian focused things. Maybe on Sunday, a little more time is found for others and Christian service. We do well to occasionally stop the treadmill of life and check what our priorities are, and reassess the chief purpose of life.

    The secret is not, more time for God, but rather making the all the duties of life as the ‘work of the Lord’.  In the first century, many of the believers were slaves, with no real spare time. So Paul encourages them and us, ‘whatsoever you do’, at work , at home , in the community – do all as unto the Lord.   ( Colossians 3.17)

In this letter to the Corinthians, it is interesting that Paul does not refer to the work of elders, deacons, pastors, evangelists. He does outline gifts that were being used or abused in the church. He also writes of himself and Apollos as servants who brought the word of God to the Corinthians. Perhaps one of the best clues about ‘the work of the Lord’ is found in chapter 16.15  - of some he said they ‘devoted themselves to the service of the saints’. These workers and labourers were to be given moral respect and honour, not for some position held but work done.

       How then did they do ‘ the work of the Lord’. – by serving the saints. No detail is given, and that is  likely wise.  That service will vary from washing dirty feet to teaching heavenly truth. It could be done in Christian gatherings, or it might be done at the workplace. Sometimes it might be appreciated, other times resented. If done for the Lord first, under the direction of the Lord, He will enable the work to proceed. Some think that all service must be organized to be effective. From Bible observations, and from fifty years observing Christians serving the Lord, I choose to disagree. The greater part of effective service for the Lord is carried through by individuals quietly committed to the task given them by the Lord.

        May the Lord of the harvest, the heavenly account keeper, encourage your hearts to be “ steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord”

John McKee