Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:5-11

Christ gave His life for us, and, although we can get to heaven, it is quite apparent from scripture that we can have greater or less reward when we get there.  We are saved by Grace, yet rewarded for what we do.  This is called the doctrine of Eternal Reward.

Psalm 1:5 says, “Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.”  We understand that the sinners will be judged, but so too will the believers, made righteous by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Which of you, having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come immediately and sit down to eat’? But will he not say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink’? He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he? So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.’

Luke 10:7-10

Jesus told this parable to His disciples.  The problem with our understanding of God is that is it that it is always limited.  We know that God is good, He is love, and He is our Father.  But, He is also our Master.  While He is Lord of Love, He is always Master of Stewardship.  Every economy of the entire earth is run by Him ultimately, even though He owns the cattle on a thousand hills, and all the gold and silver are His.

When we are a slave to Christ, we do not look to another field to work in.  Though another man may have great success and great reward there, and it may be exciting, who can, in the face of apparent isolation, high cost, destitution, and desperation stay the course, and finish what God has put you to work on?

Obedience is the course God has for us, from start to finish.  He loves us completely as a Father, and as we come into that love, and into that house, as we are made whole and one with Him, His heart for service fills us, as it did Jesus.

We must be about our Father’s business (Luke 2:49), even as Jesus was.

A true servant is not interested in anything except but pleasing his Master.  A true servant does not have a life outside of pleasing Him.

We all serve Christ, whether we serve Christ directly, or through another man.  He has promised us provision (Matthew 6:33), protection (Luke 10:19), and Eternity (John 3:16).

But, when we lay down what we are, what we could be, and surrender everything.  When we live in each day as if it could be our last, and this breath like it could be forever, when we embrace the notion that to live is Christ, and to die is gain (Philippians 1:21), and when we truly overcome by the blood of the Lamb, the word of our testimony, and do not love our lives even if it costs us our lives (Revelation 12:11), we cannot be bought, we cannot be swayed, we cannot be deterred, and we cannot be stopped.  Because it really is a real deal.

Now Faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen.

Hebrews 11:1

What is it that you have over every other false religion that would try to stand up to this?  You have the substance of heaven within, the substance of Jesus Christ dwelling in your members, the substance of His Word, tangible, living, reality.  What proof do you have that you’re right?  My faith is my proof.

You would have to be a lunatic to stand before certain death any other way, and many people are.  Spirits of murder, violence, and hurt have motivated people for centuries to do atrocious things.  But standing in what’s right, standing in Truth, standing in the Word of God takes faith.  It takes courage and love in the Holy Ghost, to stand and take the blows yet abide in His goodness and worship continually.

And, when everything seems like it’s going against you, and to continue to stand in the midst of it.  And to continue to stand. Day after day, year after year, because you’re right.  Because He’s right.  Because it’s right.  Recognition or not.  His blood is enough.  To live each day with no other agenda except to please heaven continually.

Gifts are only useful tools if they service the King and His Kingdom.  They are not your play toys (although they can and should be fun and enjoyed), and they are not your trophies (they’re His!  Revelation 19:10).

But, the Gospel of the Kingdom must be brought forth, and the captives must be set free.  And there is more rejoicing in the angels in heaven when one sinner repents, than over 99 who have no need of repentance (Luke 15:10).

But, in the Gospel, we have become slaves to Christ (or you are still a slave to your sin).  We have become slaves to righteousness.  As the psalmist said, “Like a weaned child, I have stilled and quieted my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me” Psalm 131:2

When, at every level, our sole desire and aim is to please heaven, we will.  And, as we do, Heaven will respond and be our full supply.  If we conceal sin, we will not prosper, but that is the point of the Gospel, to learn to live in transparency (John 3:21), fully built on the rock of Christ (Matthew 7:24).