Article - Laboring in the Kingdom

Laboring in the Kingdom

I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. –Ephesians 4:1-3

Monday is the day that we celebrate Labor Day. It has always been interesting to me that we celebrate work by taking a day off. However, it is beneficial to stop and think about the importance of hard work. I am thankful for the dedicated example provided by my parents and grandparents as they struggled to provide for their respective families. My grandparents were part of what is oftentimes referred to as the ‘greatest generation’ of people to be born in the United States. There is much that we learn from their work ethic and dedication to persevere through some of our nation’s greatest trials. This is an amazing accomplishment, but what made a greater impact than their physical labor was their dedication to the kingdom of God. They worked hard to feed their family physically, but the greater portion of their efforts was dedicated to laboring to serve God.

The Bible teaches us about labor/work. Some works in the Bible were accomplished for us approximately two thousand years ago. The work of salvation was wholly completed when Jesus laid down his life on the cross. Jesus came into the world to save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). He died for the elect family of God (Romans 8:28-33), and all for whom he died will be in Heaven some day (John 6:39). Is there any labor that you engage in that will assist you (or anyone else) in entering eternal glory? No! In Ephesians 2:8-9, the Apostle Paul writes, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” The work necessary to save you from your sins was completed on the cross of Calvary. When Jesus cried out, “It is finished” the work of eternal salvation was complete.

In light of what Jesus did on the cross, Christians are instructed in scripture numerous times to labor. In our introductory verse, Paul instructs us to walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called. The word vocation literally means an occupation. Paul is teaching us that Christian service is not merely a part-time job or a hobby, but an occupation that we are wholly dedicated. In light of the work that Christ accomplished on the cross, we need to be laboring in serving him. Paul’s prayer for the Colossian church was that they “might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10);”

Is your life pleasing to the Lord? Would an accurate appraisal of the decisions that you make reflect Christ-worthy thinking? If not, you need to repent and follow after the Lord. Paul teaches us that we are to labor in meekness. Pride is something that we all struggle with. We want to take care of our wants and needs first. If we are laboring in the Lord, then we are seeking him first. After that we are placing others above ourselves. This includes the needs of your spouse. This involves ministering to those in your church and neighborhood that are in need. Jesus teaches us to seek first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness (Matthew 6:33). We are not to worry about our needs. He will see to them!

We are also called to labor in love; even in those times when we are confronted with those that are unlovable. We are also to labor to do that which is good. The Bible also teaches that we are to labor to increase in the knowledge of God. The Bible teaches us in the aforementioned verses (and hundreds more) that we are to labor while we are living in this present world. As you have already figured out, there is much to be busy about in serving the Lord. It is my prayer that we will get to work. While we enjoy periods of rest in our physical labors, let us never take a vacation from serving the God of Heaven and Earth! Whatever our burden in this life, it is light as a feather when compared to the work of eternal salvation that was accomplished on the cross.

Michael Green, Jr. is pastor of Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church (www.palmchapel.org) in Crestview, FL. Palm Chapel meets every Sunday at 10:30am and Wednesday at 6:00pm. Pastor Green can be contacted at (850) 689-3383 or by email at pastormichael@palmchapel.org. Pastor Green warmly invites you to come and worship at Palm Chapel Primitive Baptist Church.