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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
It goes without saying that when the Lord saves us He does not bid us to leave our stations and callings in life to serve Him. He does not bid us to forego our domestic relations which have made us husbands or wives, parents or children, masters or servants. He does not tell us to put on peculiar clothing and to seek the seclusion of a hermit's life, or the retirement of a monastery. Nothing of the kind is hinted at in the Word of God, but we are bidden "with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men." (Eph. 6:7). The Lord Jesus Christ would not have us to hope that we shall win the victory by leaving our posts. He would have us abide in our calling or profession and all the while serve Him in it, doing the will of God from the heart.
This is the practical beauty of our Christian faith, that when it casts the devil out of a man it sends him home to bless his friends and family by telling them what great things the Lord has done for him. The grace of God does not transplant the tree, but rather bids it to overshadow the old house as before and to bring forth good fruit where it is. Grace does not make us unearthly, though it does make us unworldly. True religion distinguishes us from other people just as our Lord was separate from sinners, but it does not shut us up or hedge us round about as if we were too good or too tender for riggers of everyday life. It does not put us in a salt shaker and lock us up in a spice rack, but casts us forth among our fellow men for their seasoning and good.
Grace makes us the servants of God while we still are the servants of men. It
enables us to do the business of heaven while we continue to attend the business
of earth. It sanctifies the common duties and responsibilities of life by
showing us how to perform them in the light of heaven. The love of Christ makes
the most menial of tasks acts of sublime devotion. Just as sunlight brightens a
landscape and casts beauty over the commonest scene, so does the presence of
Christ in a believer's life.
Whether we are servants or masters, whether we are rich or poor, makes very
little difference. Let us make this our motto, "As to the Lord, and not to men."
If we are able to adopt this motto it will influence our work itself, and it
will elevate our spirit concerning that work. This is, after all, only what the
Lord has a right to expect of us and what we are under a thousand obligations to
render unto Him.
A due sense of serving the Lord in our life's calling or vocation will ennoble
all of our service. Think of your work as working for Him, the best of masters,
before whom the very angels count it glory to bow. Work done for Him is in
itself the best work that can be done, because all that pleases Him must be pure
and lovely, honest and of good report. Work that is done for the heavenly Father
and for His Son is the best of work. To live for Christ is to be swayed by the
noblest of motives. As one man of God has put it, "To live for the incarnate God
is to blend the love of God and the love of men in one passion." To live for
Christ is elevating to the soul because its results will be most enduring. When
all other work is dissolved this shall abide.
The one who lives and works for Christ will never have reason to complain
concerning his Master. He does not forsake His servants. The Lord will not
desert His pensioners in old age. As David put it, "O God, thou hast taught me
from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works; now also when I
am old and grey-headed, O God, forsake me not." Let us bear in mind the words of
that Christian song, "Only one life will soon be past, only what's done for
Christ will last. Are you living and working for your Saviour? Is your motto,
"As to the Lord, and not to men?" What does it matter if men never praise you or
take note of what you do? If you are doing it for Christ, He takes note of it
and He will never let His workers go without their reward at the end of the day.
Rev. Claude D. DePrine, III
To contact the pastor by e-mail go to Pastor@providenceopc.org