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A Christian Who Doesn't Serve Is a Contradiction

A Christian Who Doesn't Serve Is a Contradiction:
"Now you belong to him . in order that we might be useful in the service of God." (Romans 7:4 TEV)
Your call to salvation included your call to service. They are the same. Regardless of your job or career, you are called to full-time Christian service. A "non-serving Christian" is a contradiction in terms.
The Bible says, "He saved us and called us to be his own people, not because of what we have done, but because of his own purpose" (2 Timothy 1:9a TEV).
Peter adds, "You were chosen to tell about the excellent qualities of God, who called you" (1 Peter 2:9a GW).
You are called to serve God. Growing up, you may have thought that being "called" by God was something only missionaries, pastors, nuns, and other "full-time" church workers experienced, but the Bible says every Christian is called to service (Ephesians 4:4-14; see also Romans 1:6-7; 8:28-30; 1 Corinthians 1:2, 9, 26; 7:17; Philippians 3:14; 1 Peter 2:9; 2 Peter 1:3).
Any time you use your God-given abilities to help others, you are fulfilling your calling. The Bible says, "Now you belong to him . in order that we might be useful in the service of God" (Romans 7:4 TEV).
In some churches in China, they welcome new believers by saying "Jesus now has a new pair of eyes to see with, new ears to listen with, new hands to help with, and a new heart to love others with."
Talk About It

  • How much of the time are you being useful in the service of God?

  • How does your service help and encourage the work of other believers and leaders in the Church?

Rick Warren is the founding pastor of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., one of America's largest and most influential churches. Rick is author of the New York Times bestseller "The Purpose Driven Life." His book, "The Purpose Driven Church," was named one of the 100 Christian books that changed the 20th century. He is also the founder of Pastors.com, a global Internet community for pastors.
This devotional ©2012 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

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