2nd Timothy 1:11 says, “Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.”
While Paul was in prison, he encouraged Timothy to not be ashamed of the Gospel (v. 8); the Gospel was the reason that compelled Paul to serve the Lord (Acts 20:24). Its message of grace motivated him to pour out his life for the glory of God (v. 9). This should also be an encouragement for everyone who wants to actively serve our Lord Jesus (1st Cor. 15:58).
When we occupy a position in the Lord’s work, we need to be reminded that it is both an honor and a privilege (Phil. 1:29)! As servants of Christ, we don’t have to earn something for our labours (1st Thess. 1:3). We simply do what is needed because of our love for Him (1st John 4:19): from picking up trash and cleaning toilets, to helping in the nursery so that parents can sit together in a service, to singing in the choir, to giving folks a ride to church. The work is the same, whether you have been a believer for 20 years or just a week (1st Pet. 4:8-10).
If you are saved, then you ought to be busy and blessed in serving the Lord. It only becomes a burden when it is done according to the flesh (2nd Pet. 2:10), and not borne out of your love for Him (Heb. 6:10).
Our “reasonable service” proves the reality of our salvation (Rom. 12:1), and genuine faith is manifested by our works of love (James 2:18). There must be a willingness to serve Him (Eph. 2:10) by being faithful, available, teachable, yielded, and usable (2nd Tim. 2:21).
Let us be determined to fulfill His call on our lives by His grace and for His glory (1st Cor. 10:31). Nobody else may seem to care, but God does! He knows our service and He will reward His children when we stand before Him one day (2nd Cor. 5:10).
Commit all your ways unto Him (Ps 37:4), and just keep on serving Him!
Pastor Melito Barrera (Berean Bible Baptist Church of Chula Vista)