This post was written by Chris Symons of CW Symons – Change Management Executive. To connect with Chris, visit https://www.cwsymons.com.
This is the fifth and final article in this series on our personal journey of seeking to serve others in our marketplace mission.
We began with awareness and defined desire, knowledge, and ability. By now, we should be well-equipped to face our marketplace mission. We may still question what reinforces our commitment to our on-going mission. Spoiler: It’s not shaming or intimidation, but rather through encouragement, discipleship, and strong spiritual foundations. Much has been written on these topics, both intellectually and spiritually. This article seeks to only briefly examine a few Scriptures relevant to reinforcing the importance of this mission.
The Greatest Reinforcement
The greatest reinforcement to continue our marketplace mission is the message of hope that we ourselves receive. The apostle Paul stated very eloquently in 1 Corinthians 15 that because of the message of the gospel we believers have hope in our marketplace mission. Concluding with verse 58, we are encouraged to stand firm and to give ourselves fully to the work of the Lord — committing ourselves to serving others while we work. We must consider the admonitions to persevere found in Jude 1:17–21 (NIV): to remember the apostles’ teachings, to build ourselves up in our most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit, and to keep ourselves in God’s love. As we continue to focus on God’s love, we serve others and encourage them on their own faith journey.
Approved by the Word to Avoid Risk
To qualify for the work set before us, we must, as Hebrews 5 says, mature to the meat of the Word. Verses 5:11–14 remind us that although milk is essential to the young, it is the solid food that matures. But what is the solid food that the writer of Hebrews referred to? It is the mature truths of the Bible. Our ability to rightly divide the Word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15) readies us for the work of discipleship that must be performed in the marketplace. We let our study approve us for the work set before us. An earlier article in this series highlighted that our knowledge of the Word is essential to our confidence, as well as obedience, in both action (Romans 16:25–27) and thought (2 Corinthians 10:5). James 1:22–25 is clear that we must be doers of the Word to safeguard our risk of forgetting the knowledge that leads to our ability to serve.
Fixing Our Eyes
When considering how to reinforce our duty to our marketplace mission, we must examine Hebrews 12:1–2, which reads
Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith (NIV).
In the last section we discussed 2 Timothy 2:15, which is the notion that we present ourselves approved to God, unashamed and correctly sharing the truth. Another component of this relies on keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus. As we look to him, he perfects our faith and gives us inspired direction for how to best serve our brethren.
As well as fixing our eyes, we know from Galatians 5:7–10 that Christ-followers face perils that can keep us from obeying the truth, whether those be other people or intricate systems set in place to distract us. We are admonished in 1 John 4:1 to test every spirit. This serves as a defense to preserve our ability to fix our eyes on Jesus. If our eyes are healthy (Matthew 6:22, NIV), we are able to effectively do the work set before us, thereby inspiring those around us to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24).
A Reminder to Persevere
Looking forward to the day of the Lord, in 2 Peter 3 we are reminded that we will encounter scoffers who follow their own evil desires, and that the day of the Lord will come like a thief. We must continue to persevere in the work that Jesus has laid out for us. Let us grow in grace and make every effort to be found spotless, blameless, and at peace with him.
A Prayer of Encouragement
Jude 1:24-25 (NIV)
To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy — to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power, and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen.
Another great way to reinforce service to others is to have your own system of support to ask for advice and prayers. Follower of One offers such a community for Christians in the marketplace who want to live an on-mission faith. Join the Follower of One community and surround yourself with other like-minded believers who can stir your desire to serve him.
Featured photo by Kindel Media on Pexels; in-text photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash
