Get Involved in the Lord's Work

How do you "keep yourselves in the love of God" (v. 21a)? How do you continue "building yourselves up on your most holy faith" (v. 20a)? First, by spending time in the Lord's Word; second, by being in fellowship with the Lord's people; third, by praying in the power of the Holy Spirit; fourth, by supporting your pastor; and fifth, by getting involved in the work of ministry.

Part of supporting your pastor is helping in the work. He needs your help. He is there to train and lead. You are there to learn and do. If you are "looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life" (v. 21b), get involved in the Lord's work. Doing so takes saving faith and it is proof of such faith. If you have faith, use it, live by it, and do the Lord's work by it.

"Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious, you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ" (1 Peter 2:4-5). And in verses 9-10 Peter added, "But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy." That is the doctrine of the priesthood of all believers. We all are to minster to one another.

Get involved in the ministry of your church. Be the Lord's workers. "And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ" (Eph. 4:11-12).

Your pastor trains you up according to your spiritual gifts, in order to involve you in "the work of ministry." But you must do the work of ministry—no one else can do the work God has for you.

So get to work! Study God's Word. Encourage one another in fellowship. Pray in the power of the Spirit. Support your shepherd, your pastor. Get involved in the work of the church. That is what the Christian life is all about. Doing these things proves your faith and you will receive "the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life" (Jude 21b). Amen.