TO SERVE CHRIST

To Serve Christ

Through Paul’s writings the Holy Spirit reveals the anguish and suffering of those who are fully committed to the Lord. True believers will encounter many hardships in serving God. They will be rejected by those who claim to be religious, but only have a ‘form of Godliness.’ 2 Timothy 3:5.

Those who want to love and serve the Lord will overwhelmingly show great distress at the moral corruption we find in the world. Our spirits should be stirred over the vast majority of those who are lost, and are on their way to hell. “Enter though the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14

Having an attitude of holy anger towards sin and immorality should characterize all those who have the spirit of our Lord. For the cause of Christ and salvation of the lost, our spirits should rebel against sin denounced in scripture as being offensive to God, and destructive to the whole world.

We, as the body of Christ, should also have a concern for all those called to be saints. “As in all the congregation of the saints.” 1 Corinthians 14:33

We are living in a day of great deception. The Holy Spirit repeatedly warns that there will be many false teachers within the church in the last days. Many professed believers will follow these false preachers. These believers have failed to receive the truth. They have not been willing

to study God’s Holy Word that would lead them to God’s saving grace. “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved; a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the Word of Truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

Christ was so concerned that his followers be aware of the coming worldwide spiritual deception that he repeats his warning twice in the Olivet Discourse. Those who are totally committed to the truth of God’s Word, and Biblical righteousness, will be in the minority. Many professing believers are accepting ‘new revelations’ even though it conflicts with God’s Word. The greatest abomination in God’s eyes is to profess faith in Christ while at the same time living in disobedience to His Word.

You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.

The body of Christ is facing a huge influence of demons and evil spirits in many churches around the world. Men will be teaching doctrines of these evil spirits. The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. See 1 Timothy 4:1

Many in the church will depart from the faith and gradually turn to seducing spirits and false doctrines, all because they failed to love the truth. A distorted gospel taught by compromising ministers, and teachers will find little resistance in many churches. Salvation will be experienced by those who, through faith in Christ, fervently and sincerely love the truth. For we who love the Lord, have the mind of Christ. Having His mind means knowing His will and His redemptive plan and purpose.

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

Romans 12:10-12

“See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” Romans 9:33