Daily Journal: 16 September

Considered Trustworthy

1 Timothy 1:12 (NCV)

I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who gave me strength, because he trusted me and gave me this work of serving him.

To serve someone means we perform a function for someone else. Synonyms for ‘serve’ are deliver, provide, assist, be of use. As believers, we are called to serve the Lord by assisting others, loving others, teaching or encouraging others, being of use to others; being His hands and feet, His mouth, His heart.

Serving does not mean being subordinate. We are to serve in the knowledge of the goodness of God. We are not to serve where we are being influenced to do anything against what we know is right. In that situation, we are to influence not be influenced.

1 Timothy 1:13 (NASB)

even though I was previously a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief;

The grace in this verse is amazing. Paul was a violent aggressor, acting against God’s people. Yet, when God called, and Paul responded with repentance; he was shown mercy because he had acted ignorantly.

Once Paul knew the truth, God entrusted him with a service. He was called to a function. We are all called to various functions. Just like Paul, once we know the truth, we are accountable for what we know. Paul did all sorts of things, within His call, to build the church and spread the gospel. He loved people, spoke with people, modelled a lifestyle, worked and provided for others, showed mercy, courage and wisdom, mentored others, engaged in others’ lives and never abandoned his belief, his faith or his calling.

Once we know something, acting out of that knowledge is appropriate and expected. This is being trustworthy.

James 4:17 (NLT)

Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.

The parable of the slaves who knew their masters will and those who did not know is a sobering guide for believers that the knowledge we are entrusted with, we are accountable for.

Luke 12:47-58 (GNT)

 “The servant who knows what his master wants him to do, but does not get himself ready and do it, will be punished with a heavy whipping. But the servant who does not know what his master wants, and yet does something for which he deserves a whipping, will be punished with a light whipping. Much is required from the person to whom much is given; much more is required from the person to whom much more is given.

Matthew 12:36 (GWT)

“I can guarantee that on judgment day people will have to give an account of every careless word they say.

We aren’t to be afraid. Through Christ we have entered a family relationship; we are no longer in a slave-master relationship. We have been given mercy. Our sins have been washed away. Our desire to serve God comes from a heart of thankfulness, an acknowledgement of the enormous sacrifice Christ made. He loved us first, while we were still sinners. Acknowledging our responsibility to serve comes from gratitude and a heart of reciprocated love.

However, a healthy fear of God’s righteous power and sovereignty over life and death is appropriate. When we rightfully acknowledge His position of authority over all creation and life and death, we acknowledge what He has now entrusted to us by the way we use the life He’s given us. We want to be considered trustworthy for the functions He now gives us to do.