Christ had passed through the awful hour of agony and death. He had come back from the grave a victorious conquer, and proclaimed to His sorrowing disciples, “All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth,” but immediately added, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Thus to work for God is not optional, but imperative. Not a mere matter of choice, but has all the authority of the command of Christ.
To preach is a necessity laid upon some, as Paul said, “Woe is me if I preach not the gospel;” but to work for Christ is the privilege of every saved soul. Some may say, “I cannot preach,” but all can distribute gospel tracts in one way or another, and be much in prayer for the Lord’s rich blessing to follow each one.
There is a sphere for all and a work for each. There is none to whom something has not been entrusted. He gave to every man his work. None can look to the Master and say, “I have not the privilege of doing something for Thee.”
You may not have five talents, you may not have two, but what about the one? For the employment of that one, you are responsible. God has beautifully arranged and adapted spheres of labor, so as to meet all the diversity of capacity and talent among His people. Remember, there is not a single inch of ground in God’s vineyard for an idler; not a niche in the great moral hive for a drone. To each He has given power and opportunity to do something. It may be only the silent, unobtrusive labor connected with the family circle; or of speaking of Christ to a few children gathered in your home or your class; visiting the abodes of poverty; the bedside of the sick and dying; in scattering papers and tracts, or the unseen labor of an Epaphras pleading for the salvation of some precious souls.
“Son, go work today in My vineyard.” If you are a son of God, by faith in Christ Jesus, then, “Go work today,” is Christ’s word to you. “If ye love Me, keep My commandments.”
What are you doing then for Christ? What are you doing for the salvation of souls? for the help of the feeble among the lambs and sheep of Christ’s flock?
Let us say, with the Apostle Paul, “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?” This will necessitate the study of His Word for guidance in your service, and prayer and dependence upon Him.
Alas! How many, in the energy of love to Christ, commence with works of devotedness to His person, and gracious care for those in need, but in time the freshness of their affection wanes, and a spiritual apathy sets in, and the worker becomes a spiritual invalid.
The danger of this was evident before the apostle’s mind when he wrote to Titus, “These things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God, might be careful to maintain good works.” (Titus 3:88This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. (Titus 3:8)). Titus was not only to affirm, but constantly to affirm, the deep necessity of being careful to maintain, not merely to commence, or plan, but “maintain” good works.