Serving in the Kingdom
Paul wrote to the early church: “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from His love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in Spirit and purpose. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness…” (Philippians 2: 1-7)
Imagine leaving heavenly glory to come to this earth, rub shoulders with the worst of us and fulfill His mission. It required whole-hearted focus, communing with the Father, extraordinary love. Jesus was confident in what God could do for each person needing rescue from satan’s destructions. Faith, obedience and compassion moved Him to get involved in these needs. He was here to serve and taught to do the same. “For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.” (Luke 22:27)
Jesus kept ministering for the Kingdom of God, even when there were difficult times. He didn’t quit when those in His hometown didn’t believe. (Mark 6:1-6) He wasn’t unwilling to ‘pray again’ when the blind man saw men ‘as trees walking’. (indicating partial restoration) (Mark 8: 22-26) Jesus continued to patiently teach about the Kingdom of God even after His disciples showed lack of faith time and time again. We can’t even imagine the let-down Jesus experienced when Peter denied Him three times.
The ‘overcoming’ Christian walk sees our actions move from self to service for others. All that has been given to us by God is to build His Kingdom. All hearts and eyes are on the Lord, hands extended to others. Once we’ve been touched by God’s mercy and love we have something valuable to share with others. Glory to God–all timing is in His will, all deeds according to His leading.
Service is in obedience to God. Prayer, praise, fasting and Scripture times open our hearts to ‘hear’ from God. The Kingdom of God is in us and can inspire us freely at any time to do what is good. Knowing God’s Word strengthens us. (1 John 2: 14) and helps us determine that we are praying according to His will.
We use our gifts to edify other believers and to tell those not knowing about Jesus about Him. (John 6:29) We ‘serve’ be laboring with God,. We continue even after difficult seasons. Sometimes our prayers may not receive immediate results, but as we recall past answers to prayers, we can be encouraged that God does get involved and care. We bow to His ways and thoughts being higher than ours.
Have the steadfast confidence and endurance of Abraham. Faith believes before the answer comes, sees it in the distance and clings to it all the way through. Continue to serve, pray and believe with and for others. Keep the Master in mind and heart.
We’re members of an awesome Kingdom of power, filled with every good and perfect gift– abundant life for body, soul and spirit. It’s all good news– forgiveness and eternal reward, peace with God and His life and love within. We have access to God through prayer and knowledge of how His Kingdom operates through Scriptures. We have so much to offer the world. The Father be glorified as His Kingdom impacts more and more people.
