“With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men.” Ephesians 6:7
Every assembly has them. Sometimes aggravating, sometimes impatient, sometimes a bit pushy, yet their phone numbers are on every saint’s speed dial. These are the people who quite simply get things done. They are not content to procrastinate until a convenient time; they will not tolerate half-effort, and they seem tireless in their campaigns to start and finish every task. Despite having the commitments of employment, family, health, and household like everyone else, they refuse to use these as excuses for intermittent service. We put up with them because we would rather be irritated than recruited.
This is a tip of the hat to those frustrating few who refuse to watch something fall down without picking it up. They understand that they are part of a minority that often shoulders a majority of the workload. Yet we must also consider the question: How do we feel when we see a brother or sister “pass by on the other side” while something obviously needs attention? Do feelings of anger, despair, or resentment sometimes overcome us to the point where we say, “Why do I bother?” It may seem that only a few others are willing to pull their weight, so why should we be expected to carry the load?
We must remind ourselves that our Lord is as cognizant of our motives as He is of our service. He who searches the heart always knows why we do what we do. If we find ourselves serving out of resentful obligation, then we are serving self, not Christ. The tendency toward “man-pleasing” is just as real in assembly life as it is in the secular workforce.
Knowing that this private battle would be experienced repeatedly throughout the church dispensation, the writer of Hebrews reminds us that “…God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister” (6:10). Others may not notice, appreciate, or reward, but the true Master does. Others may be quicker to pick up the phone than to pick up the pace, but “ye serve the Lord Christ” (Col. 3:24), and not men.
If the hectic pace of our time-managed life has us stuck in horizontal mode, then it is time to regroup and reassess the reasons for our service. Scripture faithfully gives us words that realign our thinking, enabling us to adjust our attitude and serve Christ with a joyful heart. Assimilate, if you will, the spirit of the following three verses:
Whatsoever Ye Do
- “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Cor. 10:31). If we do everything as unto the Lord, then a lack of support or assistance from others need not produce a frown. The task is for His glory, not ours. If service is rendered as unto men, one may expect frustration, feelings of being taken advantage of, or even deep-seated resentment. Someone has well said that an honest measure of a servant’s heart is how they react when treated like one. As the dwelling place of God’s Holy Spirit, harboring such bitterness is harmful. My late grandfather used to warn about such things: “A grudge is like a porcupine; it only hurts the person holding it.”
- “And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.” (Col. 3:17). With a slight shift from our personal liberties to our words and actions, we are similarly told that if these are done as unto the Lord, feelings of being taken advantage of will be replaced by true and deep thankfulness for the privilege of being Christ’s ambassadors. Many opportunities to serve and suffer are recorded in the Book of Acts. Those who served the Lord counted it a privilege to suffer for Him, and rejection was anticipated. What calling could be higher?
- “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men” (Col. 3:23). If service is rendered to the Lord and not to men, then no action or inaction of others will be a bona fide obstacle. If our eyes and ears are diverted to the attentions of others around us, how can we hear the Master’s voice when He speaks? The word “heartily” describes service that comes right from the heart. It is for Him and Him alone, and He never forgets.
Caution Recommended
Make no mistake, we absolutely love our dear brothers and sisters, who are unfailingly reliable in everything they put their hands to. We applaud their energy, we celebrate their accomplishments, and we will certainly keep them in mind the next time something needs to be done. However, we would kindly pass along a word of caution, lest they burn themselves out. In a period of hustle and bustle, our Lord said this to His disciples:”
“Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place and rest a while: for there were many coming and going, and they had no leisure so much as to eat” (Mark 6:31).
In the Gospel account that most emphasizes immediacy, it is ironically fitting that Mark would record our Lord’s words about the need for rest and replenishment of one’s physical resources. The desire of God’s servant to “spend and be spent” (2 Cor. 12:15) is certainly praiseworthy, but we can also do serious harm if we do not take care of the Lord’s servant as well as His service. Prone as we are to extremes, the Master would remind us that a wise balance is best in the long term.
Follow the Leader
Our Lord Jesus has left us the example to follow in His steps (1 Pet. 2:21), which includes both heartfelt service and quiet periods alone with the Father. Herein lies perhaps the greatest danger that can sometimes overwhelm the diligent servant: that in our service for Him we may go so far as actually to lose touch with Him.
When our daily walk is characterized by quiet communion with our Lord, then we are most apt to find ourselves serving in exactly the areas He wants us to serve, and at the levels of engagement He knows best we can handle. The energy of the flesh, however substantial it may be, is no substitute for Spirit-led and Spirit-enabled activity. Many of us can testify from personal experience to having strayed from this path. The flesh was willing, but the spirit was weak.
Soli Deo Gloria
In all that we do, the glory of our God and Savior must ever be paramount. If we are serving the Master for any reason other than His glory and the edification of His people, then our motives require reexamination. When service is assessed in the Bible, it is faithful consistency that is praised, not volume of activity. Whatever we do, however big or small in earthly estimation, if done in the will of God, enabled by the Spirit of God, and as unto the Lord, then it matters greatly to Him.
Therefore, let us roll up our sleeves and serve. Someone else may take notice and follow our example for God’s glory, or they may not. The One whom we serve will never fail to take notice of anything done solely for Him. And for a faithful brother or sister whose motive is to please Him, that is more than enough reward.