When Duty Calls

For the sake of argument, let’s suppose you have done everything you have been commanded. Jesus says: “So you also, when you have done all that you were commanded, says, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was our duty.’” Even at our best we are unworthy, unprofitable, and useless servants. The Greek adjective is the same one used in the PARABLE OF THE TALENTS in Matthew 25:30, where the master called the guy who buried his one talent in the sand a “worthless servant.” We are unworthy servants. This does not mean we are not valuable to God. To the contrary, we are so valuable to God that he made him who knew no sin to become sin for us that we may become the righteous of God in him. We are so valuable to God that he laid on Christ the iniquity of us all. We are so valuable to God that he gave his only Son that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.

But you should never place stipulations or conditions on God. The Lord does not owe you anything. Your obedience is not an investment you make as God’s equal partner. It is the duty you owe as a servant of God.

• It is your duty to watch out for yourself.

• It is your duty to avoid temptation and practice holiness.

• It is your duty to forgive those who offend you.

• It is your duty to obey Jesus no matter what.

• It is your duty to serve the Lord with gladness.

You are just a servant who is obligated to obey when duty calls. The servant is always a debtor of service. The master is never a debtor of reward. F.B. MEYER says it well: “The profit does not begin until the servant goes beyond his obligation.” God does not owe you anything. But here’s the good news. Our God is a benevolent Master who loves to bless his faithful servants with rewards that do not deserve. Even though we have not been obedient servants, we have good Master. In Luke 12:37, Jesus says “Blessed are those servants whom the master finds awake when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will dress himself for service and have them recline at table, and he will come and serve them.” I wouldn’t believe that statement if it wasn’t in black and white right in the word of God. Jesus says that if you serve him now, he’ll serve you later.

THE SERVICE OF JESUS TRUE PLEASURE AFFORDS

IN HIM THERE IS JOY WITHOUT AN ALLOY;

TIS HEAVEN TO TRUST HIM AND REST ON HIS WORDS;

IT PAYS TO SERVE JESUS EACH DAY.

IT PAYS TO SERVE JESUS WHATEVER MADE BETIDE

IT PAYS TO BE TRUE WHATEVER YOU MAY DO;

TIS RICHES OF MERCY IN HIM TO ABIDE

IT PAYS TO SERVE JESUS EACH DAY

THROUGH SOMETIMES THE SHADOWS MAY HANG OVER THE WAY

AND SORROWS MAY COME TO BECKON US HOME

OUR PRECIOUS REDEEMER EACH TOIL WILL REPAY

IT PAYS TO SERVE JESUS EACH DAY