Title: Spiritual Future-Securing Life
Contents
♡♥♡ Spiritual future-proof life / 1 Peter 4:10,11
***Introduction
Dr. Schweitzer, who was called the 'Jesus of the 20th century', even started a fundraising campaign because it was not enough even after giving his all for the dying people at the hospital in Rabbane University, Africa, on the black continent.
Once, he returned to his hometown to raise money, and at the hometown station, many relatives, friends and colleagues were gathered to welcome him, waiting for him to come out. People gathered in front of him knowing that he would usually come out of the first or second place, but the doctor got off from the third place, the very back.
The reception guests ran and hugged them and asked, “Why did you get in the 3rd class?” Then, with a fishy smile, the Doctor replied, “There must be a fourth place.”
Dr. Schweitzer was humble, and he is the epitome of a modern-day life of service and service. This life of service and service is the life that makes a Christian a Christian.
In Mark 10:45, Jesus said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” The purpose of coming to this earth was to serve and sacrifice. You said. If so, our “Christian life” today is a life of service, service, and sacrifice. This kind of life is a 'spiritual future-safe life' with promises of rewards.
The short text I just read speaks of ‘Christian service’. Saints are God's children and stewards who have received God's various graces as gifts. Because after we have received Jesus Christ as our Savior, our status is as God's adoptive, and our mission is to become stewards. Romans 8:14,15. “All those who are led by the Spirit of God are the sons of God. You have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you have received the spirit of adoption, so we cry, Abba, Father.” Also, 2 Timothy 2:15 says, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.”
As such, Christians are to serve God's work, either as children of God or as stewards. When we say ‘service’, there are meanings such as ‘serving’, ‘serving’, ‘helping’, etc. What, then, does service to God mean? It is a generic term for service to God and neighbor.
There was a Christian woman who worked as an editor in a publishing house. She read the manuscripts written by the editor, mainly checking for grammar and punctuation errors. The editor-in-chief was a woman who lacked ability, but found out that the assistant editor was more capable than him. So, more and more of the actual editorial work was entrusted to the editor-in-chief. Although credibility was gained by the editor-in-chief, later the editor-in-chief did most of the work.
One day, the editor quarreled with the publisher and threatened to quit the company if his request was not met. "You can leave," the publisher said. "After all, the editor-in-chief has done his job." "Did she say that?" exclaimed the editor. Publishers say, "You can tell without saying it." , and added the following: “It seemed strange for several months that you trusted her so much, and since then I have known it all.”
This short story that actually happened ends with the editor-in-chief eventually becoming the editor-in-chief. Although she did her job well, she didn't do anything special to be recognized. When an unbelieving publisher asked, “Why did you work so hard and say nothing about it?” she answered by quoting Colossians 2:23-24. “Whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord, for you serve the Lord Christ.” “Long ago I decided not to seek my glory,” she said. added the word.
We are people who live before God, and we are people who serve God. Although the place of life is this world, belonging is the kingdom of God, and rewards are given in the kingdom of God. A Christian is like an engineer sent to another company. Even if the work is done in another company, compensation for his affiliation and his hard work is received from the head office. Therefore, Christian service must be in accordance with the will of God.
Serving and serving are God's creative principles
When God created the universe, he did not make any creature into existence by itself. All creatures depend on each other and help each other to live. Even biologists and scientists understand the principle. What they are saying is 'Some dong on Earth. The extinction of plants means a crisis for all living things.’ This is because all living things on Earth are connected by a link.
Genesis 2:21-24 speaks of a relationship of service between people, and in verses 1:27-30, it speaks of a relationship between people and people. It refers to the service relationship between plants. However, because of human sin, the covenant with God was broken, and the principle of mutual service, the principle of God's creation, was also broken. In the animal world, the weak and strong diet prevailed, and selfishness permeated the human world. It is trying to satisfy one's own desires even by knocking down others. This is the image of human beings who have lost the image of God, and this is the change of the world.
Jesus Christ came to this world, and he lived a life of thorough service and service, even giving up his life. In Mark 10:45, Jesus said, “The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Therefore, Christians who follow the Lord must also follow the path of the Lord.
Hear the cry of Jesus. This is John 12:26. “If anyone wants to serve me, follow me! Where I am, there will also be those who serve me; and if anyone serves me, my Father will honor him.” And in John 13:15-17, “I have tried to make you do as I have done for you. I saw Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, and the one who is sent is not greater than the one who sent him.
So, how do you serve?
In addition, God grants special powers for service. Such is the text of the Bible today, and in 1 Corinthians 4:7, “Who has set you apart? What do you have that you did not receive? Since you have received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?” He said, telling us to share what God has given us, to serve and serve one another. Therefore, believers should serve as they would to the Lord with the gifts and power that God has given them. And there is one more specific thing to consider.
Who is the target of the service?
The objects of service can be broadly divided into those about God and people. What does service and service to God mean? Often worshiping on Sundays and working as a teacher, a choir, or each institution or group is often understood as service or service. Of course, it is clear that this is only important service and service.
Let's see how Jesus taught. First of all, in the parable of the sheep and the goats in Matthew 25:31-46, it says that the object is ‘the members of the faith’. Let's look at verse 40. “The king answered and said, ‘Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’” Another target is ‘All Neighbors’. Verses 36-37 of the parable of the good Samaritan in Luke 10:30-37. “In your opinion, which of these three will be the neighbor of the robber? He said to them, ‘The one who showed mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise!’”
The meaning of these parables is that there is no limit to the object of service, and service is practical life, not theory. But service and service are given priority. Galatians 6:9-10 says, “Let us not grow weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not grow weary. Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, let us do good to all, but especially to the families of faith.”
Worship is the natural worship of the created being to God the Creator. And serving and serving our neighbors becomes an expression of our service and love for God. Therefore, we must always make sure that the service and service that thinks of the Lord is fulfilled in our lives. This is the spiritual future-proof life with promise. I pray that your life will be a spiritual future-proof life that is effective not only on this earth but also in the kingdom of God.