MY FRIENDS, DOES IT PAY TO SERVE THE LORD?

Feb 10, 2017

MY FRIENDS, DOES IT PAY TO SERVE THE LORD?

“Yes!! It pays, every step of the way.” Though the pathway to glory may sometimes be dreary, oh the joy from within from serving God. Paul describes His Joy. “Five times he received forty stripes minus one. Three times beaten with rods, once stoned, three times shipwrecked, exposed to danger from bandits, from his own countrymen, from the Gentiles. Danger in the city and wilderness. Often unable to sleep, hungry and thirsty. Often exposed in the cold without adequate clothing. In addition, besides the external things, there is the daily inescapable pressure of my concern for all the churches.” 2 Cor. 11:24-28 (AMP)

And “to keep Paul from becoming conceited, he was given a thorn in his flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment him. And three times he pleaded with the Lord to take it away. But he said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Cor. 12:7-9 (NIV)

Oh, the passion to receive such power, that is why it pays to serve God. Paul’s last days on earth was spent in a gloomy dungeon accused by his own countrymen and the Romans of instigating the most terrible of crimes along with the burning of Rome. But when “God’s power is made perfect in our weaknesses nothing can separate us from God.

Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, our fears for today or our worries about tomorrow. Not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. Rom. 8:38-39 (NLT) So Like Christ, His Master, a homeless wanderer who stood before Pilot. Paul, God’s representative stands before Nero and how can a “capricious, licentious tyrants understand or appreciate the character and motives” of God and His children.

Paul, was commissioned to stand before governors and kings and the sons of Israel,” that he may bear Christ name. Acts 9:15 (KJV). The truth was presented, and for a moment the invitation of mercy and grace was extended to Nero. Remember my friends, Christ died for all. But Like Pilot the door of repentance for Nero closed forever.

One of Paul’s last letters stated “I am…being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.” 2 Tim 4:6-8 (NIV)

Paul’s life soon ended at the guillotine. My friends, it does pay to serve Christ. Paul had joy from within because in his weakness Christ love and power rested within Him and now there is in store for Paul the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to him soon, along with all who are willing to follow Christ even into a fiery furnace.

And like the three Hebrew boys with passion we must also believe “the God we serve is able to deliver us. But even if he does not, we want the world to know, we will not serve your gods” My friends, it pays to serve the Lord because He is greater than all of our circumstances and one day our reward will be eternal life.