For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Ephesians 2:10
“All hands on deck!” is an English naval idiom, an order demanding an immediate, collective, and concerted effort by everyone on board to accomplish an important task. Similarly, when it comes to Christ’s great mission today, it is the Lord’s desire for every believer to be involved in His work of building His Church. We are saved to serve.
First, this principle is illustrated in the account of Israel’s redemption out of Egypt. Exodus 8:1 says, “And the LORD spoke to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh and say to him, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Let My people go, that they may serve Me.’” The Lord redeemed them so that they might serve Him as a nation. Today, every member of Christ’s body, the Church, is redeemed by the precious blood of Christ for the purpose of serving Him.
Second, Christ our Captain has commissioned us, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you…” (Matt. 28:19-20). His word should be our command; we should be eager and willing to obey. We can trust Him; He is the best Master.
Third, it is a magnificent work. Believers over the course of Church history have turned the world upside down when they have been faithful to their commission. Multitudes have come to Christ through the gospel message and then have begun putting their own hands to the work. The Lord prophesied before Calvary, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father” (John 14:12). Since Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension back to glory, we are carrying out His work through our hands, feet, and voices. We need to hold fast to our Head (Col. 2:19), looking to Him for guidance and direction.
Fourth, He has provided us further divine help through the indwelling Holy Spirit. Historically, Christ’s Church began at Pentecost with the coming of the Holy Spirit just as He promised (Acts 1:8; 2:1-47). Walking according to the Spirit empowers our service as it is carried out in dependence upon Christ (John 15:4-5; Rom. 8:4).
Fifth, through the Spirit, Christ has bestowed spiritual gifts to every believer to be utilized in a spirit of love for Him and for our fellow brothers and sisters in the Lord (1 Cor. 13; 1 Pet. 4:10). When we consider Christ’s selfless love for us, it should compel us to lovingly serve Him (2 Cor. 5:14).
A well-known story illustrates the unity, peace, and encouragement the Lord desires for us as we serve Him:
A hostess walked in with a dessert tray, accidentally spilling the tray’s contents on the table and floor. One with the gift of serving said, “I will help you clean it up.” She had the desire to meet a practical need. Another with the gift of teaching said, “The reason that the tray fell is that you put too many things on this side and you needed to balance the weight more carefully.” He wanted to clarify a truth. Someone with the gift of exhortation said, “Next time, we can serve dessert along with the meal.” He gave a practical solution to the problem so it would not happen again. Another with the gift of giving said, “I will buy a new dessert.” He used his personal assets to meet a practical need. Someone with the gift of mercy responded by hugging the server and saying, “Don’t let this get you down. It could happen to anyone.” Finally, somebody with the gift of leading responded, “Bob, would you get some towels to wipe up the table? Mary, grab the mop for the floor. And Jane, help me make another dessert.”
For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another
Galatians 5:13