“Honor Christ and put others first.”--Ephesians 5:21 (CEV)

This scripture tells two simple things: what to do and why to do it.

We are encouraged again and again in scripture to prefer our brethren over
ourselves. This goes against the 'wisdom' of the world, which usually
encourages a 'me-first' attitude. 'Self-esteem' and 'self-love' are the 
primary focus of many 'self-help' books.

I understand this these ideas are well-intentioned. The problem is that 
they are incomplete. Let's back up and take a look at something we all
should understand fairly well.

We are not saved by works, but by faith. This seed of faith produces fruit:
fruit in ourselves and in our actions. So we ARE doing good works, but we 
are not doing them to get saved. We are doing them as a result of our 
salvation.

So faith and works are inseparable. They are two sides of the same coin, 
much like self-esteem and submission.

Many people trapped in depression spend time and money on self-help 
books and building self-esteem and doing self-talk etc. How many of 
these people are volunteering their time in their community? How many 
of them are laying down their lives for others? How many are serving 
in their calling?

You may have noticed that, when you get involved in the church, there 
are many opportunities to help out our brethren. The more we help out 
(Jesus—the suffering SERVANT of Isaiah), the more we are VALUED. 
One day we hope to hear the Lord say to us, “Well done” (Luke 19:17). 
What is this praise and reward a result of? Being a good servant. 
Being a good servant to whom? Being a good servant to our brethren 
and to the unsaved.

The other half of this verse says “Honor Christ.” This is our motivation. 
Sometimes we really don't want to serve our brethren. But we honor 
Jesus when we do. Flip that idea around for a second: if we DON'T 
prefer our brother over ourselves, we are NOT honoring Christ. Check 
out a few other versions:

Submitting to one another in the fear of God. (NKJV)

Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ. (RSV)

We are reminded in Phil. 2:2-4: “Let nothing be done through strife 
or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than 
themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also 
on the things of others.” (KJV)

Larry Richards (in The Teacher's Commentary, p. 930) comments: 
“Whatever role we have been given provides us an opportunity to serve 
our brothers and sisters in Christ. It is when we accept our role as 
husband, wife, employer, employee, community leader, or citizen in 
light of Christ's teaching and example, with a reverence for Him and 
His heavenly Father that we will begin to serve one another.”

Christians have accepted Jesus as their Lord and have submitted their 
lives and wills to Him. We have responded to his perfect love. Our 
response includes picking up our cross and following Him. What does 
that look like? It looks like us laying aside our will so that Christ 
can live through us, realizing his will through our lives.

Be encouraged! Ask Jesus for help in this, and He will be faithful! 

The “Called” Versus the “Volunteer”

Recently I had the pleasure of speaking briefly with John O'Campo (Mariners Church in California) about what it means to be called to serve. I've been meditating on this, and would like to share some of my thoughts, and some of his comments.

If you are called, then you are called of God. He has ordained us before the world began to do good works. He allows us to choose whether or not we will walk in His way or not. We are all called to worship, but we are not all called to lead a musical worship service.

God equips those He calls. He empowers, by means of His Holy Ghost, those who have decided to walk in His will. He annoints with purpose.

For those who are called and equipped, let me ask you a few questions:

• How seriously do you take the call of God?
• How seriously do you think God takes His calling?

• How has God empowered you?
• How have you used this power?

I am reminded of Jesus' parable of the talents (Matt. 25:14-30; Luke 19:11-26). The servant who did not increase his talent was called “wicked and lazy.”

Paul repeatedly spoke of himself as a “bondservant.” This word (GR doulos) means, literally, a slave. It implies that the work he did was not of his own will, but the will of his master.

For those who have given their lives to Christ, let me ask you:

• Do you feel you are doing God's will with the talents with which he has blessed you?
• Do you feel there are areas where you may be an unfaithful slave?

Undoubtedly, the more honest we are with ourselves, the more we will find reason to be on our knees before our gracious and loving God, and ask Him to forgive, restore, and continue to use us.

There is a price to be paid to sacrifice to the Lord, but the rewards are great. Hebrews 13:15 encourages us to “constantly and at all times offer up to God a sacrifice of praise, which is the fruit of lips that thankfully acknowledge and confess and glorify His name.” Speaking about the cost of sacrifice, King David said, “I will not offer burnt offerings to the Lord my God of that which costs me nothing,” (2 Sam 24:24).

Notice some of Pastor O'Campo's observations about the differences between those who are “called” and those who “volunteer.” (Slightly paraphrased)

• Volunteers see rehearsal as an obligation.
• Those called of God view rehearsal as another opportunity to be used of God, and to develop the gifts with which they have been entrusted.

• Volunteers put in 'just enough' effort.
• The Called put in all that they can.

• Volunteers look to be served.
• The Called look to serve and minister to others.

• Volunteers can feel threatened by the talents of others.
• The Called are secure in God's direction in their lives, and with the role that God has called them to play.

• Volunteers do not prepare.
• The Called are as prepared as they can possibly be.

• Volunteers are often oblivious to the needs of the ministry.
• The Called pray for the ministry and its leaders.

• Volunteers find fulfillment in their talents and abilities.
• The Called find fulfillment in being used of God and in doing His will.

• Volunteers avoid situations which may stretch them.
• The Called respond to the call with humble dependence on Him.

"When God has put His call on you, woe be to you if you turn to the right hand or the left. He will do with You what He never did with you before the call came; He will do with you what He is not doing with other people. Let Him have His way.”--Oswald Chambers.

(Thanks Pastor O'Campo!)

B. Cox

P.S. Next we will talk about how God EQUIPS, and what that means for us.