11/07/2015 - HOW SERVANTS OF GOD SHOULD BEHAVE

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And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews”. Acts 20.18,19

Everyone should know the way how we serve the Lord. There is nothing in the Scriptures that causes shame or that can be misinterpreted. In the same way, we should have nothing to hide, or nothing indecorous in ourselves. We serve God in the light; therefore, we can rest in His arms and not fear the threats of the enemy. Through the death of Jesus, whoever belongs to God has already defeated the world and its threats.

Paul learned how to behave in the Gospel with Christ. He knew that he should be more complete in his love for God than how David was in the days when he was King of Israel. In the same way, we should continue in the divine work, for we cannot let escape even one opportunity. The children of the Most High should never do something that makes Him ashamed to have them as His children. The right way to serve Him is with dignity.

We must be completely filled with humility, since submission to God allows no different thing. Whoever boasts about something that seems like a natural quality does not fear the Most High. Why should someone be led by the enemy’s lies if it is more wise and positive to believe in the Almighty? Although Paul rose to the third Heaven and heard things that are not licit to the common man, he did not boast about it (2 Co 12.1-4).

Those who are not betrayed or “stabbed” in the back do not know how tasteful it is to suffer by the love of Jesus (Luke 6.22,23). The flesh is in pain, and our own will makes us want to answer the offenses, but God’s love constrains us to pray for these unhappy people, who are walking in large steps towards eternal destruction, since they gave in to the tempter. Although you may go through the worst situations, do not be fooled by the enemy’s lies.

We also serve God when we face our temptations, for we have the opportunity to prove our faithfulness. What matters is not what the devil shows you, but your attitude before the proposals that come your way. Be constant in your love for the Lord, for it matters before Him (1 Co 15.58). In the world, you will find people that are sent to drive you away from the divine presence, but in Christ, you will be victorious.

There are still the false brethren who set up traps for us even though we taught them the Truth. Their practices are shameful, but unfortunately, we cannot stop the scandals from happening (Mt 18.7). In fact, we should pray for whoever is a victim and knows about similar cases, so that they might not be weakened with the attitude of those who chose the way of Achan, Jezebel, Judas, Ananias, and Sapphira.

Everything that happens to us is under the Lord’s consent, as part of our learning process. If we stand firm in the faith, we will be highly rewarded by Him in His return. The Most High seeks for strong people, who do not bow before their problems, know how to suffer with ingratitude, know how to deal with those who fall astray, and that do not follow their bad example.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares