Serving Now To His Honor And Glory

Serving – October 2021 – Grace & Truth Magazine

Serving Now To His Honor And Glory

I testify before God and Christ Jesus, who is about to judge living and dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom, proclaim the word. — 2 Timothy 4:1-2 JND

To serve the Lord in a day of departure from the truth is a matter which requires much dependence and devotedness. Paul’s knowledge that his service was coming to an end, by his death and departure into the presence of the Lord (v.6), motivated him to write to his “child” in the faith (2:1). The apostle wrote to Timothy in view of the appearing of Jesus Christ and the establishment of His kingdom on earth. Our verse above connects three events with “that day’’ (4:8).

The first one is judgment. Yes we know that this will take place at the day of the Lord when the nations will be judged. Christendom – what professes Christ – will be exposed as to what it is. This great, soon-coming event motivated Paul to write: “proclaim the word.” “Proclaim” means “preach.” The instruction is to preach the whole truth concerning Christ and His assembly, not only the gospel of salvation.

The second event which will take place with the appearing of the Lord Jesus is that His “reward” will be with Him (Rev. 22:12). At that time what now is done in secret and in faithfulness toward the Lord Jesus will be publicly shown. We do not work for a reward but for the glory and honor of the Lord Jesus Christ. That is the third element, because it says, “by His appearing and His kingdom.

All three are inseparable from one another, but each gives a different aspect of that great event in His kingdom when our blessed Lord will be glorified in His saints. All we may do for Him by grace will add glory and honor to Him in the day of manifestation.

This certainly is an incentive for us to serve Him faithfully until He comes.

By Klaas Rot

I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today;
I know that He is living whatever men may say. — A. H. Ackley (1887–1960)