A) INTRODUCTION.

B) SERVICE IS PREPARATION FOR HEAVEN.

C) THE LAW OF GOD.

D) TRUE SERVICE.

 

 

A) INTRODUCTION

 

 

Of course, The One Who gave the greatest service was our Lord Jesus Himself.  Therefore, anything that is related to what He did should be considered when we think of ways in which we should serve.

 

 

B) SERVICE IS PREPARATION FOR HEAVEN

 

 

This life on earth should be the beginning of our lives in Heaven.  As such, an education on earth is an initiation into the principles of Heaven.  The lifework here is merely a training ground for the lifework in Heaven.  What we now are, in character and holy service, is the sure foreshadowing of what we shall be in Heaven.  The service rendered in sincerity of heart has great recompense.  “Thy Father which seeth in secret Himself shall reward thee openly.”  Matthew 6:4.

 

By the life we live through the grace of Christ, the character is formed.  The loveliness of Christ begins to be reflected in the soul.  The attributes of the character of Christ are imparted, and the image of the Divine begins to shine forth.  The faces of men and women who walk and work with God express the peace of Heaven.  They are surrounded with the atmosphere of Heaven.  For these souls, the Kingdom of God has begun.  They have Christ’s joy, the joy of being a blessing to humanity.  They have the honor of being accepted for the Master’s use; they are trusted to do His work in His Name.

 

 

C) THE LAW OF GOD

 

 

The yoke that binds to service is the Law of God.  The great Law of Love revealed in Eden, proclaimed upon Sinai, and in the New Covenant written in the heart, is that which binds the human worker to the Will of God.  If we were left to follow our own inclinations, to go just where our will would lead us, we should fall into Satan’s ranks and become possessors of his attributes.  Therefore, God wants to confine us to His Will, which is high, and noble, and elevating. He desires that we shall patiently and wisely take up the duties of service.

 

The yoke of service, Christ Himself has borne in humanity.  He said, “I delight to do Thy Will, O My God:  yea, Thy Law is within My heart.”  Psalm 40:8.  “I came down from Heaven, not to do Mine Own will, but the Will of Him that sent Me.”  John 6:38.  Love for God, zeal for His glory, and Love for fallen humanity, brought Jesus to earth to suffer and to die.  This was the controlling power of His life.  This principle He bids us to adopt.

 

There are many whose hearts are aching under a load of care because they seek to reach the world’s standard.  They have chosen its service, accepted its perplexities, and adopted its customs.  Our Lord desires us to lay aside this yoke of bondage.  He invites us to accept His yoke; He says, “My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”  Matthew 11:30.  He bids us to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and His promise is that all things needful to us for this life will be added for our use.

 

In every difficulty, God has a way prepared to bring relief.  Our Heavenly Father has a thousand ways to provide for us, of which we know nothing.  Those who accept the one principle of making the service and honor of God supreme will find perplexities vanish, and a plain path before their feet.  “Learn of Me,” says Jesus; “for I Am meek and lowly in heart:  and ye shall find rest.”  Matthew 11:29.  We are to enter the school of Christ, to learn from Him meekness and lowliness.

 

Redemption is that process by which the soul is trained for Heaven.  This training means a knowledge of Christ.  It means emancipation from ideas, habits, and practices that have been gained in the school of the prince of darkness.  The soul must be delivered from all that is opposed to being loyal to God.

 

 

D) TRUE SERVICE

 

 

True service is the unveiling of a heart made fragrant by the Love of God.  Such service gives nobility to the character in this life.  Under its influence, love to God and love to one’s fellow man, not only speaks from the lips, but is revealed in the actions.

 

A life of service is the truest, noblest life that man can live.  By such a life we are brought into touch with Him Who is the light and life of the world.  Service is an honor conferred on man as an heir of Heaven.  He is to find his joy in truehearted, unselfish efforts to help and bless those around him.

 

Countless are the opportunities for unselfish service.  There are many to whom life is a painful struggle; they feel their deficiencies, and are miserable and unbelieving; they think they have nothing for which to be grateful.  Kind words, looks of sympathy, expressions of appreciation, would be to many a struggling and lonely one as a cup of cold water to a thirsty soul.  A word of sympathy, an act of kindness, would lift burdens that rest heavily upon weary shoulders.  And every word or deed of unselfish kindness is an expression of the Love of Christ for lost humanity.

 

“We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves.”  Romans 15:1.  No soul who believes in Christ, even though his faith may be weak and his steps wavering, is to be lightly esteemed.  If we have been given an advantage over another -- be it education, refinement, Christian training, religious experience -- we are in debt to those who are less favored, and, so far as lies in our power, we are to stay up the hands of the weak.

 

“We shall individually be held responsible for doing one jot less than we have ability to do.  The Lord measures with exactness every possibility for service.  The unused capabilities are just as much brought into account as those that are improved.  For all that we might become through the right use of our talents God holds us responsible.  We shall also be judged according to what we ought to have done, but did not accomplish, because we did not use our powers to glorify God.”  COL:362.6.

 

“Angels of glory, that do always behold the face of the Father in Heaven, joy in ministering to His little ones.  Trembling souls, who have many objectionable traits of character, are their special charge.  Angels are ever present where they are most needed, with those who have the hardest battle with self to fight, and whose surroundings are the most discouraging.”  DA:440.1.

 

As you open your doors to Christ’s needy and suffering ones, you are welcoming unseen angels.  You invite the companionship of Heavenly beings to be with and among you.  These invited and welcomed Heavenly beings will bring a sacred atmosphere of peace and joy.  They will come with praises upon their lips, and an answering strain is then heard and given in Heaven.  Every deed of mercy makes music there.

 

Our Father from His throne numbers the unselfish workers among His most precious treasures.  At the last great day Christ will say to these workers, “Come, ye blessed of My Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was an hungered, and ye gave Me meat; I was thirsty, and ye gave Me drink; I was a stranger, and ye took Me in; naked, and ye clothed Me; I was sick, and ye visited Me; I was in prison, and ye came unto Me.”  Matthew 25:34.

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