“It’s what’s best for the company.” “We need you to take one for the team.”
“For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:” (Romans 12:4)
Those of us who have been born-again understand full well that if we perform a task and someone else takes the credit for it, it is of no concern to us, the accomplishment of the task is what was important, not the recognition of performing it well.
We do not serve mankind for the benefit of ourselves or for them, we serve the Lord Jesus Christ, if those still in and of the world benefit from our actions, all the better, but they are not our main concern, the Almighty is.
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)
For what? In an attempt to reach the lost with the truth, or to glorify God?
Ask yourself this question, when you speak to people about where they will spend eternity, are you more concerned with their soul or lifting up the name of the Lord Jesus Christ? Are you more concerned in whether or not they will heed the call, or that the truths you have offered them have glorified God?
It is not possible to say “Both,” for then you have placed the glory of the Most High on an equal level with the place that person will spend eternity, and their response to the message of salvation in your mind would be just as important as Him whom you represent.
Ambassadors from the Kingdom of the Living God offer the message of the grace of God for the glory of God, and we should be just as ecstatic if they receive the message when we offer it as well as if all we have done is planted that seed.
“I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.” (1st Cor. 3:6)
Many members, one message, never seeking anything for ourselves, always esteeming others higher than ourselves, servants who serve with only one thought in mind, that the Almighty would be glorified.
Again, I offer this analogy, if these short letters went from just a few views each to hundreds of thousands, it would not change what I have been sent to do. If someone claimed them as their own and profited greatly financially from them, I would rejoice, for the message has been sent out and God is glorified.
“And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.” (Mark 9:38)
I do not mean to seem unkind, but whether that person accepts or denies the message is irrelevant to us, the message is what matters. The Living God being glorified in our lives is what matters. Speaking the truth of Acts 4:12 is what matters.
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
If we do all that we do for the glory of God, God will be magnified in our lives, and all who meet us will know where we stand, whether our words are meant to warn or encourage, the Almighty will be glorified.
It is, in a small sense, a company effort where each individual fulfills a task for the benefit of the company, seeking nothing for themselves, always willing to do what is best for it, always willing to take one for the team. “Of whom the world was not worthy: they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.” (Heb. 11:38)
“Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” (Matt. 5:12)
Seek the lost for the glory of God, live your life for His glory, keep every thought captive for Christ. My friends, the message brings glory to God even when it is rejected.
This is to be our singular purpose, all else is secondary, much has value and worth, but nothing should supersede living our lives for His glory.
