A Service of Love

LOVEST THOU ME?

“A distinct work is assigned to every Christian,” meaning that, “To EVERY ONE work has been allotted, and no one can be a substitute for another. Each one has a mission of wonderful importance, which he can not neglect or ignore, as the fulfillment of it involves the weal of some soul, and the neglect of it the woe of one for whom Christ died.” Christian Service, p. 9, 10.

The bottom-line of the whole matter as to offering a service of love lies in the question raised to Peter and the subsequent commission given as, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Feed my sheep.” John 21:16. Hence, to all that call upon the name of the living Saviour, as their personal Saviour is the inquiry made, “Lovest thou me more than these?” If my/your answer be yes, our first condition of entry into the vineyard of the Lord would have been fully met. This is the expectation of the Lord to all that have enlisted themselves as under-shepherd with their chief Shepherd on the lead.

THE SPIRIT OF LOVE

Nevertheless, few have truly decided to devote all their strength and skill that their service may be approved of the Lord. They have nothing to withhold back in order to have a soul salvaged from the bondage of sin. To such ones is a constant realization that, “It was through the spirit of love that the gospel was brought you (them) and to all men who have a knowledge of God. We are required not merely to admire men whom God has used, to wish that we had such men now, but to yield ourselves to be used of God or His human agents. It was His spirit that inspired their efforts, and He can abundantly bestow upon His workers today the same courage, zeal, earnestness, and devotion. It was Jesus who gave these men, power, fortitude, and perseverance, and He is willing to do the same for everyone who would be a true missionary.” FE 21

We are more surely determined to fail in our own post of duty than we are determined to excel, should we not awake from the stupor of indolence and neglect of duty that is marked out clearly to all that Jesus has died for. The apostle Paul certainly feels a sense of duty when he testifies saying; “Yeah, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy and rejoice with you all. For the same cause also do ye joy and rejoice with me.” Philippians 2:17, 18

In Paul’s testimony, nothing was more precious in his sight, not even his own life but that the faith of the believers in Phillipi in faith would behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world. Certainly, Paul’s labour at the end with the church of Phillipi will soon tell his service of love when they meet in immortal bodies to hug one another in an untold joy. Dear reader, will your current service earn you the tears of joy as with Paul and the Philippian brethren?
“Let everyone take hold of this work, determined not to fail nor be discouraged, and the Lord will work wonders among us. If at this time we fail to make a determined effort to enlarge and uplift the work, and draw back because matters are not managed according to our own ideas, the Lord will surely pass us by, and choose other agencies who will take hold of His work in His way, and follow the leadings of His Spirit.” FE 206

SUBTLE HINDERANCES

We have always had a good wish to sacrifice all if possible that we may glorify our God. With our good wishes, Jesus unearths some human sentiments that become a barrier to fulfilling our in-built good wishes in the parable of the two sons. He says; “But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, Sir: and went not.” Matthew 21:28 – 30

It is for our profit that Jesus brings into view what we feel but cannot explain. It is at this point that many of us are imprisoned. The imprisonment has no boundary as to the caliber/status of one. The Ministers, bible workers, priests, bishops, nuns, the pope, the professed believers are all at stake to this snare. As to the second son in the preceding parable we’ve made a number of excuses to ourselves as to why we can’t live to achieve our spiritual goals and good wishes.

As with the second son who said, “I will go” and went not, what might have taken the place of “I will go?” Inspiration answers. “Some ministers have their minds too much on the wages they receive. They labour for wages and lose sight of the sacredness and importance of the work.” IT 467.

“Some ministers linger about their homes, and run out on the Sabbath, and then return and exhaust their energies in farming or in attending to home matters. They labour for themselves through the week, and then spend the remnant of their exhausted energies in labouring for God. But such feeble efforts are not accepted of Him” IT 471.

“The preachers are not all given up to the work of God as He requires them to be. Some have felt that the lot of a preacher was hard because they had to be separated from their families.” IT 370

“If the chosen messengers of the Lord should wait for every obstacle to be removed out of their way, many never would go to search for the scattered sheep. Satan will present many objections in order to keep them from duty. But they will have to go out by faith, trusting in Him who has called them to His work, and He will open the way before them, as far as it will be for their good and His glory.” EW 63

SELF-SUPPORT IN SERVICE

Our claims for an effective service in the Lord’s vineyard is, and will always be annulled with the reflections of our Christian predecessors. For instance, who paid the apostle Paul in his gospel ministry? Who paid the Waldenses, John Wycliffe, Martin Luther, Huss and Jerome and many other vocal wrestlers of truth to continue in the gospel Ministry? Hear their testimonies:

Paul: “I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel. Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring you ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:33 – 35

Luther: “How precious to him was the knowledge of truth revealed in the word of God! His mind was starving for something sure upon which to build his hope that God would be his father and heaven his home… He raised his voice zealously and in the power of the Holy Spirit cried out against and rebuked the existing sins of the leaders and people…. Earthly treasures he knew would fail; but the rich truths opened to his understanding, operating upon his heart, would live, and, if obeyed, could lead him to immortality.” GC 372

Waldenses: “By patient untiring labour, sometimes in deep dark caverns of the earth, by the light of torches, the sacred scriptures were written out, verse by verse, chapter by chapter. Thus the work went on, the revealed will of God shining out like gold; how much brighter, clearer, and more powerful because of the trials undergone for its sake only those could realize who were engaged in the work. Angels from heaven surrounded these faithful workers.” GC 69

“The pastors not only preached the gospel, but they visited the sick, catechized the children, admonished the erring, and laboured to settle disputes and promote harmony and brotherly love. In times of peace, they were sustained by freewill offerings of the people; but, like the tentmaker, each learned some trade or profession by which, if necessary, to provide for his own support.” GC 68

S. Wycliffe: “Wycliffe began to write and publish tracts against the friars, not, however, seeking so much to enter into dispute with them as to call the minds of the people to the teachings of the Bible and its Author.” “Wycliffe, like his Master, preached the gospel to the poor. Not content with spreading the light in their humble homes, on his own Parish of Lutterworm, he determined that it should be carried to every part of England. To accomplish this he organized a body of preachers. Simple devout men, who lived the truth and desired nothing so much as to extend it. These men went everywhere, teaching in the market places, in the streets of the great cities, and in the country lanes. They sought out the aged, the sick and the poor, and opened to them the glad tidings of the grace of God.” GC 84, 87

With more numerous examples of Godly services given at will and at the cost of self-denial as given in inspiration, we read and wonder what was accomplished through personal labours.

A CONTRASTING PICTURE

How is it with us in our time? We acknowledge to be privileged to know the truth, acknowledge to know what to do with this truth but have never done so because of unrealistic demands that we wish to be met before we can arise, go and tell it on the mountains that Jesus Christ is coming again as Lord of Lords and not as the son of Joseph the carpenter. In order that we hear this call at heart, Jesus is making this humble entreaty unto us; as He did to His disciple Peter saying; “But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”
Luke 22:32

For this reason of not being truly converted but found and known as a worker with Christ, what has been the result? “The cause of God in many places is not improving. Soul work is needed. The people are overcharged with over surfeiting and drunkenness and the cares of this life. They are entering deeper and deeper into a spirit of worldly enterprise. They are ambitious to get gains. Spirituality and devotion are rare. The spirit that prevails is to work, to accumulate and to add to that which they already possess…” “The exalted work of God is made to connect too closely with common things.” IT 469

A REFORMATION IN OUR SERVICE

In this regard, “Will God send out a man to rescue souls from the snare of Satan when his own feet are entangled in the net? God’s servants must not be wavering. If their feet are sliding, how can they say to those of a fearful heart: ‘Be strong?’ God would have His servants hold up the feeble hands, and strengthen the wavering. Those who are not prepared to do this would fi rst labor for themselves and pray until they are endowed with power from on high.” IT 369

“The ministers must be converted before they can strengthen their brethren. They should not preach themselves, but Christ and His righteousness. A reformation is needed among the people, but it should fi rst begin its purifying work with the ministers.” IT 469

It’s unfortunate that in our day to day life, we have in place well defi ned economic, academic and social goals to be achieved but not so with spiritual goals. We fl atter and excuse ourselves, in this line of duty and ask God of the same. Would this be the will of God? The good wish of Christ is ever to call us friends as long as we do whatsoever He commands us. As He ascended into the clouds of heaven the last command to His friends can and will never be mistaken, it was and is clear to date as we read the lines, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations… to observe all things
whatsoever I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19 – 20.

OUR DEBT OF LOVE

With this remark and commission, a work for every soul whom Christ has rescued is called for in saving the lost. This work had been neglected in Israel. Is it not neglected today by those who profess to be Christ’s followers? Hence Christ commits to His followers an individual work – a work that cannot be done by proxy. Ministry to the sick and the poor, the giving of the gospel to the last, is not to be left to the committees or organized charities. Individual responsibility, individual effort, personal sacrifi ce is the requirement of the gospel. May the Lord help us to render each one of us the service of love and not out of fear because of the coming judgment.
Amen

John Riang’a Obwocha
Nairobi – Kenya