Saturday Reflection \u2013 23 May 2020<\/p>\n\n\n
\u201cServe the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong has been done, and there is no partiality.\u201d Colossians 3:24-25<\/p>\n\n\n
As we consider Labour Day, let us be reminded of the words of the Lord Jesus in St. Matthew 25:40, 45 (MSG) \u201cThen the King will say, \u2018I\u2019m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me\u2014you did it to me\u2026He will answer them, \u2018I\u2019m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you failed to do one of these things to someone who was being overlooked or ignored, that was me\u2014you failed to do it to me.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n
Since the quarantine and isolation effects of COVID-19 have kept us at home, we may not have even realized that we are approaching another public holiday. Today is Labour Day (although it will be celebrated on Monday) and it is no coincidence that the text is a reminder that as the now people of God, we are called to serve and even as we labour in our jobs and studies, in the various ministries that we engage in, that as we serve others even so we serve the Lord Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n
Paul, the writer of Colossians, engages the church on the station in which they find themselves, to remind us that all that we do, yes, our entire lives must exemplify Christ. We have been redeemed, restored, filled and called to be the now people of God, spreading his gospel and enlarging his kingdom; however, there is a false sense of thinking that this duty is wrapped up in our worship and the many Church committees and ministries that we engage. No, the Christian life is one of ministry and service and it is a 24\/7 calling. Yes, wherever we are, and whatever we do, we do it as unto the Lord. And God is not biased to any position or station but will judge all people equally according to their own responsibility, contribution, effort and result.<\/p>\n\n\n
There Paul, addresses wives and husbands, children and parents, employees and employers so that wherever we find ourselves, we would put our best foot forward, just as when we would in worship and in whatever ministry that we take part in. That as servants, we must be willing and dedicated but even as leaders, that as we lead, we serve Christ and therein must be gentle and reasonable in our leading. Friends, it is a dutiful Christian life, and exemplifying Christ also means we have a responsibility to be compassionate, obedient, and assiduous in our various occupations.<\/p>\n\n\n
As we consider Labour Day, brothers and sisters, let us be reminded that our sense of calling, our salvation and righteous living would only allow us to fulfil this responsibility every day as we live and labour with one another. And in considering our various roles whether at home, church, in our communities or the workplace the text in reminding us to be diligent and fair, trustworthy and honest, that even as we serve Christ, that he will reward our good works and even so will repay the wrongdoer for their wrongdoing. When all is said and done, we must give account before our righteous Judge who \u201c\u2026knows everything people do, even the things done in secret. He knows all the good and all the bad.He will judge everything people do.\u201d (Ecclesiastes 12:14, ICB) May we then in the service of others employ humility, zeal, effort and goodwill, knowing that we labour unto the Lord.
Until next week, let us be reminded, encouraged and sent with our text, Colossians 3:23-25 now from the Amplified Version \u201cWhatever you do [whatever your task may be], work from the soul [that is, put in your very best effort], as [something done] for the Lord and not for men, knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [greatest] reward. It is the Lord Christ whom you [actually] serve. For he who does wrong will be punished for his wrongdoing, and [with God] there is no partiality [no special treatment based on a person\u2019s position in life].\u201d Amen.<\/p>\n\n\n
Dominic J. Blair<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Saturday Reflection \u2013 23 May 2020 \u201cServe the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong has been done, and there is no partiality.\u201d Colossians 3:24-25 As we consider Labour Day, let us be reminded of the\u2026<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"template":"","watchword_topic":[10],"class_list":["post-199","watchword","type-watchword","status-publish","hentry","watchword_topic-leadership"],"yoast_head":"\n