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Christians have a personal and corporate responsibility to serve the Lord, each other and non-believers. Romans teaches us why service is important and how we are expected to serve.
Paul wrote Romans from Corinth in about 57 A.D. He had not yet been to visit the Church at Rome and one of his goals with this epistle was to introduce himself and present his statement of faith. Romans crystallizes the central messages of Christianity in a tight, intelligent presentation. He deals with a number of Christian issues, one of which is the responsibility of service.
God has gifted all people with abilities. Each of us has different abilities and varying levels of proficiency with those abilities. “For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:” (Romans 12:4)
When we become Christians, we accept that our lives are no longer our own. We have exchanged them for Christ’s saving grace and dedicated them to His service. It is now our responsibility to use our God-given abilities to serve God, our fellow Christians and our communities.
Our first obligation of service is to God. He sacrificed the life of His Son for our sakes, so that we could be spared the penalty of sin, which is death. In return, Christians offer their lives in service to God, not because He forces us into service, but because we choose to serve Him out of gratitude for His grace. “For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's.” (Romans 14:8)
Paul says, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.” (Romans 12:1)
Paul is asking us to make ourselves presentable to God. We are to be holy in our behavior and live clean lives that are useful to God. When we do things that are damaging to our minds and bodies, we make ourselves less useful to God. We have an obligation to take care of our bodies, minds and spirits to the best of our ability so that we are fit servants. When we are called upon to serve, we are prepared for the challenge.
Physical and mental disabilities don’t take us off the hook of responsibility. We still have the obligation to take care of ourselves, to the best of our ability and be prepared to serve to the best of our ability. None of us is without some ability. We all have something that we are capable of giving to His service. Keep that thing ready for use by taking care of the body, mind and spirit that make that thing possible.
Our next obligation of service is to our fellow Christians. Each of us is called to some sort of service within the Church, such as missions, preaching, teaching, hospitality or other services. Beyond that, we have a responsibility to each other individually, too. We are to support and care for each other like true brothers and sisters. “Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.” (Romans 15:7)
If we treat others like Christ treats us, we will put others needs before our own. This is a concept that few Christians embrace and fewer still practice; yet the Scripture tells us that it is how we should behave. To do so is to act in faith. In effect, when we sacrifice something we need for the sake of someone else, we’re trusting God to provide for us. This can be taken too far, though. You must consider whether by providing for someone else’s need you are enabling him or her to not try to provide for him or herself. Ask God for direction and be willing to act on what He tells you to do.
We are not only to provide for those in need but also to protect those who are weaker than us. Mature Christians ought to take younger ones under their wing and disciple them. We should offer support to those who are struggling with problems like alcoholism and drug abuse. Paul’s point is to be there for each other with a helping hand and a willing heart. “We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, “ (Romans 15:1a)
Our obligation of service to our communities extends to our country and the world. We are to be law-abiding citizens with the sole exception of obeying laws that are in direct violation of Scripture. We are to pay our taxes and respect our leaders. “Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. “ (Romans 13:7)
This verse doesn’t suggest blind obedience. We should be knowledgeable about the issues that affect our lives, our church and our communities and prayerfully consider our responsibility to support and elect the best leaders we can. We should be active participants in our local community and participate in national elections. We should voice our concerns and the concerns of the Church as they relate to political decisions. We should do all that we can as individuals to bring Christ to the world and model Christ-like behavior.
Our greatest obligation to our communities and the world is the same obligation that we have towards God and other Christians, to love. When we live out the commandments, including Christ’s commandment to love our neighbors, we model Christ’s love. It is His love displayed by us that attracts others to the Church and salvation. (Romans 13:10) By the same token, it is Christians who profess faith and behave badly that drive people away from the Church. Serving our communities with love is an obligation and responsibility set forth by Christ but it is one that we should fulfill willingly and eagerly.
Jesus Christ came to us as a servant, lowly and humble. He sacrificed His comfort, His home and His life for us willingly so that we would not have to pay for our sins. In return, we are to give our lives completely to Him to serve Him, each other and the world. You don’t have to look far to find a need that you can meet; you only have to be willing to look.
(All Scripture is KJV)
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