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Laboring for God

READ | John 12:20-26

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are to be living extensions of His life. In other words, we are to be people through whom the Holy Spirit is carrying out the Lord’s work. Following Jesus’ example, we must:

• Learn how to live as God’s servants. We need to let go of control over our time, talent, and treasure, and accept our commission to work in His kingdom. Like our Savior, we are not to act independently (John 5:19). Our assignment is to do whatever God asks of us.

• Be ready to answer His call to aid others.There’s a natural desire to limit our circle to people like ourselves, but we must fight against this inclination. God asks that we reach out to offer help wherever there’s a need—for strangers as well as for individuals we know. Strengthening our relationship with the Lord will help us to recognize and act on the opportunities He has placed before us.

• Motivate one another to good deeds (Hebrews 10:24). We’re to spur each other on to choose godliness and service over worldly pleasure and self-centeredness. Believers are to foster in each other attitudes of gratefulness for what He has done and confidence about what He will do in and through their lives.

Good works are not the means of salvation, but they do affect eternal rewards. At the judgment seat of Christ, believers will be evaluated for what they did on earth. Deeds done without direction from God will be burned up; those accomplished in obedience to the Spirit’s call will be rewarded (1 Corinthians 3:15).

Let your love for God stimulate you to labor in His kingdom.