SERVING THE LORD WELL

I Peter 5:1-4 And now a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share his glory and his honor when he returns. As a fellow elder, this is my appeal to you: Care for the flock of God entrusted to you. Watch over it willingly, not grudgingly--not for what you will get out of it, but because you are eager to serve God. Don't lord it over the people assigned to your care, but lead them by your good example. And when the head Shepherd comes, your reward will be a never-ending share in his glory and honor.

Peter is writing specifically to church leaders here, but I believe it applies to everyone who claims to be a child of God. Church leaders have greater responsibilities and will be judged accordingly, but everyone who wants to make it to heaven needs to pay heed to Peter's instructions.

A child of God is a servant of God. He takes seriously the role he plays in the Kingdom of God. He watches carefully over his soul and does all he can to help others do what is right before God. What he does he does in love. He eagerly serves the Lord, not grudgingly. He does not exploit people, but seeks to help them the best he can. He lives honorably before God as an example to others to follow. He does not sit idly by resting on his laurels as a child of God, but works hard at what God wants him to do.

When we live life the way God wants us to, we will be greatly rewarded when Jesus comes to take the church home to heaven. Our reward in heaven will be eternal and we will forever share in our Lord's glory and honor. Diligently stay the course of faith and invest in the life of others. It will be worth it all when we see Jesus.