This evening Jim asked me to lead a daily devotional for the small gathering in the RV after dinner. Since we have been discussing the basics of Christianity with a focus on not extending forgiveness, I thought it would be fitting to branch off of that topic and stem into how that would impact our ability to serve the Lord. It seemed especially fitting given the coming of Winter Storm Nemo and the potential for huge amounts of snowfall that will need to be shoveled.
Lack of forgiveness can hinder one's walk with Christ because it can infuse someone with anger and bitterness. These traits are not something Jesus wants us to walk in, which is why He stressed the importance of forgiveness. Matthew 6:14-15 states, "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." The reason I'm mentioning this is because when someone comes to salvation, it can be very hard at first to overlook past sins of others. If we're to be hands and feet of Christ, though, we need to obtain a servant's heart and not pick and choose who we serve due to bitterness. We are to serve the body of Christ and complete strangers in the world. Jesus tells us in Luke 6:35 that we must, "Love your enemies and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return." It's a hard thing to swallow, but that's the truth of the matter. Right now you might view this as an impossible task, but as you dig deeper into the Word, my guess is that you will begin to strive to be obedient to Christ and serve anyone and everyone. It's empty to serve only those we like or will gain from because Jesus says that even sinners do that. It takes a character that is steadfast in the Holy Spirit to truly overlook offenses of friends and enemies in order to serve them. A motivator can be found at the end of Luke 6:35, which says if we do these good things in reverence to Christ that, "our reward will be great and we'll be sons of the Most High."
I'm not saying that it'll be easy to think of others and serve them. Our flesh calls for us to be selfish and to take care of our own needs before others. Even if we do get in the habit of serving others, Satan enjoys bombarding us with discouragement and discontent, causing us to feel like we deserve something in return. In times when I feel under attack by such thoughts, I choose to focus and meditate on Galatians 6:9-10, which says, "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. So then as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone and especially to those who are of the household of faith." We are to serve others regardless of whether those acts are recognized or well received. The Holy Spirit binds us together in community and creates a new family that we should desire to serve. Our reward, too, will be in heaven where it won't perish.
I mention this in the wake of the blizzard because you may not have a strong desire to help certain neighbors who have either wronged you or just rubbed you the wrong way. I say that regardless of past actions or reactions, it's Christ's desire for you to serve everyone in your community in order to imitate and live out the Gospel. Think about it. Christ still went to the Cross to die for our sins even though we are not worthy of this gift of salvation through grace. Jesus had every reason to be selfish and save His own skin. Judas betrayed Him, Peter denied Him three times, and His disciples abandoned Him in His time of need, yet Jesus loved us enough to die for us. If this isn't true humble, loving, and obedient service, I don't know what is.
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