Anonymous (via GotQuestions)
For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
amanda prinsloo
Why is serving God so inportant? Because if you do not serve God you won't go to heaven. And if you serve Him you wil go to heaven, but then you must believe in Him also. If you don't believe in Him you will go to Hell.
Terry Gillard
Serving God is important simply because He is God: But I cannot see how our service becomes the gateway to heaven.
This is precisely the issue that Paul addressed with the Galatians. It's why in a moment of (I believe) frustration he says,
Gal 3v2-3 I only want to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now going to be made complete by the flesh? 4 Did you suffer so much for nothing—if in fact it was for nothing? 5 So then, does God supply you with the Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law or by hearing with faith? [HCSB]
What Jesus did at Calvary is marvellously, truly absolutely complete. My service - your service does not add one iota to the glories of our salvation! There is reward for service, but that has nothing to do with getting into heaven.
Jennifer Rothnie
Serving God in any specific 'task' is not a particular requirement, but serving God in general is. That is, God must be your master. Even the demons believe in God - but they do not serve nor do they have faith in the covering blood of Christ (James 2:18-20.) A faith without service is 'dead faith' - not a true, living faith in Christ.
Matt 24:45-51 shows that the faithful servant will enter heaven, whereas the former servant that returns to the world rather than acting by faith will be consigned a place with the unbelievers.
Matt 25:14-30 shows the servants with active faith, who invested what the master entrusted them with, as entering into their Master's joy. Conversely, the servant who did not act in faith, but merely buried all he was given, is consigned to darkness.
A good servant of Christ Jesus is "constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following." (I Tim 4:6)
To be constantly nourished by faith and sound doctrine leads to an ever-growing relationship with Christ (II Pet 1:3-11)
'Serving' doesn't mean to do works of the law. We serve out of a faithful heart towards Christ by the Spirit.
"Therefore, since we receive a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe." Heb 12:28
"Therefore I exhort you...present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy to God, well-pleasing, which is your reasonable service." Rom 12:1
Terry Gillard
As always, a very good explanation, Jennifer, of the need for committed service. How can one say "I'm a Christian" and with that not desire to serve the Lord.
A "good servant" would seek to fulfil the will of the one who loves us. Some, regretfully, are not "good". Won't go into that now - but whilst it's no excuse - and to ignore the will of the loving Saviour wantonly is to risk our salvation:
Yet our service is the result of living in faith: The faith is not conditional on the service.