God's Acceptable Service - 1

Romans 12:11c

"Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord"

There are basic principles of service as established by God and he expects anyone and everyone who is to work with Him and for Him to be careful to abide by them.

Every organisation or workplace where service is offered has a particular way by which every service is rendered. Doing anything outside the details that come along with every task is no service. The elites call it the "Code of Ethics" - this document outlines the mission and values of the business or organization, how professionals are supposed to approach problems, the ethical principles based on the organization's core values and the standards to which the professional is held.

The statement above implies that whatever is done without the "Code of Ethics" in view is no acceptable service and mostly has consequences. Quickly lets see an example from the bible of a man who serves or works with a prophet....

I would like us to define the word "Service" - From Google dictionary - It is the action of helping or doing work for someone.

Please read the whole chapter of 2 Kings 5

In 2 Kings 5:10 - The prophet sent his servant or worker with an instruction to someone who requires a help. This servant named Gehazi delivered the message perfectly. After the fulfillment of the help upon obedience to the instruction sent by the prophet, Naaman returns to show gratitude. 

In 2 Kings 5:15 - He presents gifts to the prophet but the prophet does not accept it though he urges him, and he leaves afterwards with his gift.

In 2 Kings 5:19-24 - A process of rebellion began and the servant went behind his bosses back to accept the gifts that had been returned thinking no one saw him.

Even though his initial service was properly carried out, he still looses his long-term benefit because he did not completely stick to the "Code of Ethics" within his bosses instruction in vs 16.

This is exactly how we sometimes serve God - in our way, by our decisions, our emotions, at our time, by our will, with our wisdom, without adhering fully to his full instructions.

The HOW, WHAT, WHO, and WHY that makes a work acceptable and rewarding is what we will look at shortly.

Quote: Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results = INSANITY

Aim: To help us to re-evaluate how we fare in our service to God and how to amend our way where we are in error.

It is sometimes madness when you act strictly with instruction especially God's instruction in the times and age but there shouldn't be any other choice. The RESULT of every acceptable service is not dependent on the carrier (You), it is solely dependent on the sender (God). It must be done His way.

GOD'S WORK DONE IN GOD'S WAY THROUGH HIS INSTRUCTION WILL BE ACCEPTABLE BY HIM AND YIELD HIS REWARD!

How to do God's Work in His Way - Romans 12:1
Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship. Romans 12:1

a)  Be Ready to Give all up: It is the most crucial part of service. See definition of service above - It is not only confessed but must be professed. Giving can be painful, disgracing, humbling, uncomfortable, deadly, risky, burdensome etc. but is always rewarding (Matthew 16:25). It is not giving one thing and with-holding the other. Being different for God sole purpose. Until we are in the habit of giving, we cannot offer acceptable service to Him. 

What Giving is:
i)    A command by our Lord Jesus Christ- Matthew 6:2-3
ii)   An act of Worship - Acts 4:32
iii)  An act of Wisdom

What Giving is Not:
i)    A mean to Bride
ii)   A means to show off - Matthew 6:3-4
iii) What does not cost you - Mark 12:41-44

Conclusively, to know how acceptable your service is to your creator, the second series of this article gives a broader breakdown.

Coming soon...