Bless Those Who Serve God

Paul is ready to close out his letter to the Roman church. Paul gives thanks to the workers in the Roman church that he is planning spend time visiting in the future. It is clear in this portion of scripture that Paul recognizes the people who are working to advance the message of Jesus Christ. As we read in the NT, as Christianity was growing throughout the region we understand the dangers of following and disseminating Christ’s message. Although Christianity was rapidly growing, so was the negative response against it.

Paul provides a list of people that he wishes to thank for their faith in Christ and the service they provide to other Christians on their missionary journey. It was not easy to openly accept Christ because of the backlash not only from the Roman government but from the Pharisees in the first century. The practice of persecuting Christians has been taking place since the first century and continues today and is growing stronger coupled with the calls for the rejection of Christ getting louder across the globe including in the USA.

Paul understands that a kind word and acknowledgement for your service goes a long way. He takes the time in his letter to express his love for those who serve the Lord Jesus Christ. He acknowledges his friends who are under constant scrutiny and in his words risk their own necks to protect those who are called to do the work in the name of the Lord. When providing positive feedback and affirmation of the job we are doing, it makes the effort we are putting forth easier to continue on the path that God has put us on. It also gives others a feeling of accomplishment for a worthy cause and what they are doing for others they are also doing for the Lord. I have learned through my leadership experiences that a kind word goes a very long way into keeping up morale while getting the absolute most productivity out of people.

At times it is difficult to see where God is working and who God is using to do His work in, but through our faith and trust in the Lord knowing that when God is in it, then we will win. Obedience plays an important role in building the foundation of faith we need to continue the work that God has called us to do. As Christians we are called to serve whether it be serving in the church, at work, in ministry outside the church, and in our homes we are to approach every opportunity to serve others in the same way we are serving our Lord and Savior. The characteristics we display are not complicated they include serving people: with respect, with a warm smile, with a kind heart, and with pleasing words. These are some of the same qualities and character traits that Jesus embraced in His ministry. These are the same character traits that God will pour into you and me when we are truly following God.

The question we need to ask ourselves is an important one. Does God need us to advance His word to others? I humbly say He does not. God can communicate to whomever, wherever and however He wants to. This is one of the advantages of following God, He gives us the free will to do so. He also expects if you are to choose to follow Him, to follow His command we are to go out and make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). God calls us to be the salt and the light to everyone so as servants we are to do the best job we possibly can always shinning a positive light on God and reinforcing to others why we serve and who we serve.

My prayer is that we would serve the Lord with a joyful heart. That we give God glory for all we do and that everything we do, we do for the Lord. I pray that we seek Jesus when we are called to serve so that we are in God’s will doing the right work God has called us to do in His name. In the Mighty Name of Jesus I pray this Amen! Amen!