Serving God.

   

Interesting thought during my studying today- truly when we frown upon others and separate ourselves from them because we classify their lives as being that of a sinful bent, rather than a Godly path, then we are not representing God at all.

It's that frown, and purposeful non-association that reveals the lack of God in our decisions. Did Christ look upon the sinners with a frown of disapproval and turn away from them, separating Himself from their presence because they were sinners? No. Christ ate with the sinners, spoke with the sinners and let them know that He offered compassion to them and a path to follow. When they outright chose not to accept the path offered, He did leave them to their desolate chosen life, but not without their knowing that the prodigal son had a loving Father waiting for them if they changed their minds.

Day after day we live among people who do not even believe that God exists, and others who do believe, but still choose ungodly ways. We take God with US in our hearts when we are with all people, no matter what - we don't separate ourselves from them. We are separated from their ways instantly with God in our hearts. God wants us to represent His LOVE, His COMPASSION, His UNDERSTANDING to all we come in contact with. We leave their salvation with God. We pray, we love, and we don't judge- but leave that with God too. 

I need to learn this lesson so that it is a part of my life in this world with so much chaos and so much sin all around us on every side. It will only grow worse, not better. As it was in the days of Noah, and Sodom and Gomorrah, that is how it will be. Remember- only Noah and his family were spared, and even though Abraham asked God to spare Sodom and Gomorrah if God could find just TEN people in there that we're His, those TEN people could NOT be found and the cities were destroyed. Our world is going to be like that, God must be in our hearts as we live in such a corrupted, evil world. 

God help us all, God save us! God keep us in HIM all through the Love of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who sacrificed Himself so we may live with Him!

(Excerpt)

Articles on Romans

by E. J. Waggoner

Chapter 1

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The Salutation Romans 1:1-17

1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God 2 (which he had promised afore, by his prophets in the Holy Scriptures), 3 concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4 and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead; 5 by whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name; 6 among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: 7 to all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

A Bond Servant. "Paul, a servant of Jesus." It is thus that the apostle introduces himself to the Romans. In several other epistles the same expression is used. Some people would be ashamed to acknowledge themselves servants; the apostles were not.

It makes a vast difference whom one serves. The servant derives his importance from the dignity of the one served. Paul served the Lord Jesus Christ. Everybody may serve the same Master. "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey?" Rom. 6:16. Even the ordinary house servant who yields to the Lord is the servant of the Lord, and not of man. "Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God; and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance; for ye serve the Lord Jesus Christ." Col. 3:22-24. Such a consideration as this can not fail to glorify the most menial drudgery.

Our version does not give us the full force of the term which the apostle uses when he calls himself a servant. It is really "bond servant." He used the ordinary Greek word for slave. If we are really the Lord's servants, we are servants bound to him for life. It is a bondage that is itself freedom, "for he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman; likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant." 1 Cor. 7:22.

Separated. The apostle Paul was "separated unto the gospel." So is every one who is really the servant of the Lord. "No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye can not serve God and mammon." Matt. 6:24. No man can serve the Lord and have other service besides that.

"Do you mean to say that a merchant or other business man can not be a Christian?" By no means. What I said was that a man can not serve the Lord and at the same time have other service. "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. If the man is not serving the Lord in his business, then he is not serving the Lord at all. The true servant of Christ is truly separated.

But this does not mean that he separates himself from personal contact with the world. The Bible gives no countenance to monkery. The most hopeless sinner is he who thinks himself too good to associate with sinners.  How then are we to be separated unto the gospel? By the presence of God in the heart. Moses said to the Lord:  "If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up thence. For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? Is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people,  from all the people that are upon the face of the earth." Ex. 33:15,16.

But the one who is separated to the public ministry of the gospel as the apostle Paul was, is separated in a special sense in that he may not engage in any other business for personal gain. "No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier." 2 Tim. 2:4. He can not take any position, however high under earthly governments. To do so is to dishonor his Master, and to belittle his service. The minister of the gospel is the ambassador of Christ, and there is no other position that can approach it in honor. (End Excerpt)