Eternal Significance of Serving God

Jesus came proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of heaven, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." This central message of His ministry revealed the nearness of God’s reign and the urgency of turning to Him. Those who believed in this truth and chose to follow Jesus were filled with a passion to share this life-changing news with others. However, not everyone received His message. As John records, He came to His own, and His own people did not receive Him. Despite the power and truth of His words, many hearts remained hardened, unwilling to embrace the hope and redemption He offered.

Scripture embraces the value of seeking to convince others of the truth. Jesus commands His followers to go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Likewise, Peter encourages believers to always be prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks for a reason for the hope that is in them. Paul also exemplifies this when he reasoned with others from the Scriptures. These passages affirm the importance of proclaiming the gospel and sharing the truth of Christ with others.

However, there is a clear distinction in Scripture between speaking to those who are willing to listen and wasting time on the hard-hearted. Jesus advises His disciples, if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town. This demonstrates the necessity of discernment in efforts to share the gospel. At times, believers may not realize the condition of someone’s heart until they have already tried to reach them. Jesus teaches, do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you. The imagery of pearls and pigs highlights the importance of recognizing when the truth being offered will be met with rejection. Spiritually speaking, casting pearls before swine is not an act of love toward the unbeliever; it is simply a waste of God-given resources.

Jesus’ ministry was marked by His proclamation that the kingdom of heaven was near. This message inspired those who believed to share it with urgency and joy. Yet, Jesus also prepared His followers for the reality that not everyone would accept this message. The work of spreading the gospel, though met with resistance, remains of eternal significance. Paul reminds believers, therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain. Unlike the fleeting pursuits of this world, so much of which will lose meaning in years, days, or even minutes, service to God leaves a lasting impact, both in this life and for eternity.

The Bible also teaches that salvation is by grace through faith, not by works. Paul states, for by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. However, true faith in Christ produces a transformed life, evidenced by service to God. As James writes, faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. This connection between faith and works underscores the necessity of living out one’s beliefs in obedience to God’s commands.

Jesus warns about the consequences of neglecting God’s will. He teaches, not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Those who profess faith but fail to live it out demonstrate that their faith is not genuine. For believers and unbelievers alike, rejecting God’s call and living apart from His purposes leads to eternal separation from Him. Jesus says, then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’ This sobering reminder highlights that service to God is not optional. It is evidence of a redeemed heart and a life aligned with His kingdom.

The work believers do for the Lord carries eternal significance. This stands in stark contrast to the fleeting nature of worldly pursuits. Paul’s exhortation to be steadfast and always abound in the work of the Lord serves as a powerful reminder that in the Lord, our labor is never in vain. Service to God transcends time and holds value that extends into eternity. It is an investment in a kingdom that will never fade or pass away.

When Jesus came preaching the nearness of the kingdom of heaven, He did so with the understanding that not all would accept His message. His ministry was met with both enthusiastic belief and stubborn rejection. This duality underscores the need for discernment in sharing the gospel. Believers are called to be diligent in their efforts to proclaim the truth while recognizing when to move on from those who reject it. Jesus’ instructions to shake the dust from their feet and to avoid casting pearls before swine illustrate the importance of wisely stewarding the resources and opportunities God provides.

The Bible’s emphasis on the connection between faith and works is crucial to understanding the believer’s role in God’s kingdom. While salvation is a gift of grace through faith, genuine faith inevitably produces fruit in the form of good works. This fruit is not the means of salvation but rather the evidence of it. As James explains, a faith that lacks works is dead and unable to save. This truth calls believers to examine their lives and ensure that their faith is active and producing the good works that glorify God.

Jesus’ warning about the consequences of neglecting God’s will serves as a stark reminder of the stakes involved in following Him. The separation from God that awaits those who reject His call is eternal and irrevocable. This reality should compel believers to take seriously their responsibility to live out their faith and to share the gospel with others. At the same time, it emphasizes the importance of discerning when to persist and when to move on in evangelistic efforts.

Service to God is not merely a task or obligation; it is a privilege and a calling. The work done for the Lord is guaranteed to matter for eternity. It is an investment in something far greater than the fleeting concerns of this world. As believers engage in this work, they participate in the advancement of God’s kingdom and the fulfillment of His purposes. This eternal perspective transforms the way Christians approach their daily lives, prioritizing what will last over what will fade away.

The message of Jesus, the teachings of the apostles, and the warnings of Scripture all point to the eternal significance of serving God. The work of proclaiming the gospel, making disciples, and living out one’s faith is a labor that is never in vain. It is a reflection of a heart transformed by grace and aligned with the will of the Father. For those who embrace this calling, the reward is not only a life of purpose and meaning but also the assurance of an eternal inheritance in the kingdom of heaven.