THE Epistle to the Colossians is addressed to “The saints and faithful brethren in Christ which are at Colosse,” and in the third chapter of this Epistle, the Apostle Paul takes occasion to give good and necessary counsel relative to the practice of godliness in the prominent and intimate relationships existing between husbands and wives, parents and children and masters and servants, (Coloss. iii. 18-22). Following upon the exhortation to servants to obey, in all things, their masters, not with eye-service as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God; the inspired writer indicates the spiritual principles which ought to actuate the brethren in whatsoever they do, “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ,” (Coloss. iii. 23-24). They are ever to have in view that in all their activities, they are primarily to serve the Lord Christ.
There are many and varied ways in which the Lord will have His people to serve Him, and He may be honoured and His Kingdom upheld and advanced in the world. When a supper was made at Bethany for Jesus, Martha served. The Psalmist wrote, “I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness,” (Ps. lxxiv. 10). Lydia constrained Paul and Silas to come into her house and abide there and partake of her hospitality. They accepted her invitation, having judged her faithful to the Lord. Paul and other apostles were, of course, unique and outstanding in their serving the blessed Redeemer, by preaching, writing what now forms part of the Holy Scriptures, traveling and suffering, etc. And from one generation to another, the Lord, in His all-wise supervision of the Church, has raised up those to whom He has given grace to serve Him in a countless variation of ways, according to the ability bestowed upon them. By preaching, teaching, ruling in the Church, shepherding precious souls, writing, caring for and visiting the afflicted and needy and by suffering for His sake, the Lord has been, and is, served, as in many other avenues of Christian activity. A relevant word of caution may be given here. David entertained in his heart the desire to build an house unto the Lord God of Israel. The Lord commended him thus, “Thou didst well in that it was in thine heart,” (Chron. II. vi. 8). Nevertheless, the Lord did not permit David to build the temple, and gave a reason—that the king had been a man of war and had shed much blood. Solomon was given this work to do. And thus the Lord rules in a similar manner, and at sundry times, in the history of His people, so that in everything His will is accomplished.
Those who serve the Lord are to work heartily. Superficial and formal engagement in His service, on the part of any, will sooner or later be recognised as such even by the discerning of God’s people. The heart must be influenced by the Spirit of Christ so that a willing and gracious devotion will lie behind whatsoever service is rendered to the divine Master. An inward and spiritual interest in the Lord’s work is called for, otherwise it cannot be performed aright. The widow cast but a mite into the Treasury, but she did it heartily. It was her all. They are to do what they engage in, as unto the Lord. He loved His people, bought them with the price of His own redeeming blood and by His saving power has brought them into His service. He has this supreme claim upon them, that whatsoever they do, they are required to take His Word as a lamp to their feet and a light to their path, to be regulated by His commandments; to obey Him rather than men when men demand of them what is not agreeable to His will; to seek the promotion of the Kingdom of the Gospel in the world and, above all, the praise and honour of His adorable name. We are weak, and all this requires the strength and wisdom which is from above. Whatsoever they do, is to be done not unto men. The heart is deceitful above all things, and pride and self-seeking will endeavour to assert themselves in the experience, even of those who are Christ’s. Against these evils, they are warned; and in the face of their power, the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ is sufficient. Service rendered in Christ’s name is surely not to be done for the pleasing of the “flesh” in one’s own heart, nor to procure a quota of the applause of other men which they may bestow upon those who appear to them worthy of commendation. And how unworthy of true Christianity, that anyone should have in view merely the approbation of the brethren in the Church of God, in whatsoever they do professedly, as unto the Lord.
The serving saints in Colosse are reminded that of the Lord they shall receive the reward. “Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance.” (Coloss. iii. 24). Any “reward” from men for service in connection with Christ’s cause, however scriptural, proper and appreciated it may be, will soon fade and prove unsatisfying in the realm of the valley of the shadow of death and in the light of eternal realities. And further, “There was a little city . . . Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man.” (Eccles. ix. 14-15). This also has been the experience of some who feared and served the Lord Christ. But they will get their real and worthwhile and infinitely precious reward from the Lord and Saviour Himself, when He will bring them to be with Himself in glory and to participate in the “Inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.” (Peter i. 4).
As when the Spirit teacheth, He comes not with any new or strange truth, but takes of Christ’s own, His Word; so when He comforts, He takes of Christ’s own, His righteousness—not ours. All cordials are but Christ distilled. The Spirit does not say: “Soul, rejoice! for thou art holy;” but, “Soul, triumph! Christ is righteous.”