Duty and Honor

Luke 17:10

10

So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’ ”

-

The wages of eternal life, will be paid to those who remain faithful to the authority the Father placed with His Son. Our acts of faith distinguish us from the world, we are set apart, yes.

But is there more? Is it enough to work for our wage?

A worldly example. A man goes to work, to earn his pay. He works alongside co-workers. He does not deny his foreman any task asked of him. But he does only what is expected of him. Another man goes to work, to earn his pay. He works alongside his co-workers, and if he sees them struggling, he, without being requested or asking consent, gives his effort to assist them. He does not deny his foreman any task asked of him, and makes suggestions when it is appropriate, as he is committed to seeing the job done as best as possible. He does what is expected of him, but he also looks for any other opportunities to advance the efforts of the entire group, even if after hours.

Of these two men, which will the foreman report to the owner as worthy? Which of these two men, has become valuable and praise worthy? Which of these to men will be given increase in duty and therefore increase in wage?

Under the authority of Christ, we have the opportunity to not only act on the faith we have, but to earn an increase. There is no change in our position, we all serve through Christ Jesus. But, the more serious we take our duty, the more we look to advance our fellow believers, the more we act beyond simply self management, the more we push the boundaries boundaries of our understanding through Holy guidance- we will see increase in our faith, and our capacity to serve.

Living in Christ, and in faith, carrying the light of God forward, is in no way limited. But when we are taught to focus on knowledge of sin and self development, we are limiting ourselves as workers. Christ died for our sin, we are under grace. We know that we cannot perfect ourselves, instead we can have perfection come through us. So what should we be focussed on? Finding, and acting on every opportunity to have that perfection manifest.

If a man fails when attempting to serve himself, he will try something different next time. When a believer acts on faith, he is serving the will of God through the authority of Christ Jesus, no matter the worldly outcome! Do you see?

It is not for us to simply exist on our terms, we have been given full authority to labor and tend to all things with love. And in doing so, we are more than our duty in faith, we are actively honoring God with sincere, fearless joy.

Carry On!