Take Service Seriously
Typical of Paul when he closed his letters to the congregations he was writing, was to list personal greetings to certain individuals. In Paul’s letter to the church at Colossae, he mentions one individual specifically, Archippus, and reminds him, “Pay attention to the ministry you have received in the Lord, so that you can accomplish it” (Col. 4:17). The exact nature of his work, or ministry, is not mentioned by Paul, but the reminder he offers him is a good reminder to all of us.
The life we are called to live in Christ is really a call to ministry, or service. There is something we all can do in His kingdom, a ministry to fulfill. “Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God. If anyone speaks, let it be as one who speaks God’s words; if anyone serves, let it be from the strength God provides, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ in everything. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen” (1 Pet. 4:10-11). It is personal, not just in what we do for each other, but in how the Lord receives it as done to Himself. “Truly I say to you, to the extent that you did it to one of these brothers of Mine, even the least of them, you did it to Me… to the extent that you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to Me” (Matt. 25:40, 45).
Not only do we serve, but we are to bring our work to completion. The word in the Greek translated accomplish was used literally to fill a vessel or cup. The idea came to represent filling abundantly, completing, to supply richly whatever it is one does. Whatever we do in service to the Lord should be done with excellence, offered with our best, just as the Lord offers of Himself for us. We remember the church in Sardis, where the Lord rebuked them for not finishing what they had begun. “I know your works. You have the reputation of being alive, but you are dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God” (Rev. 3:2).
Another consideration in accomplishing the work God has for us to do is to take it seriously. Paul told Archippus to pay attention to what God wanted him to achieve. The term Paul uses is a word that means to see literally, with one’s eyes, but figuratively is used to mean consider, take heed, to see to it. He also uses the verb tense of command, to add emphasis to how important his work was when done with the eternal in view (1 Cor. 10:12).
Serving God is not an option. Living life as Christ desires is every Christian’s duty. We must never take for granted the calling, the privilege, God provides for us to be part of His work in His kingdom. We are involved in saving souls. We are involved in encouraging each other to reach our potential in Christ. Our ministry, our service, deserves our complete attention, our dedicated focus. Like Archippus, Paul warns us not to drift through life, but remember and fulfill our part in God’s great plan. “Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully” (2 John 1:8).
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.”
Robert
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