Rev. Dr. J Loren Russell: Matters of Faith: Weekly Column: In Proportion - Article.

 

By: Rev. J. Loren Russell.

1 Corinthians 3:5-8 (NKJV)

“Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, as the Lord gave to each one? 6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither he who plants is anything, nor he who waters, but God who gives the increase. 8 Now he who plants and he who waters are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor. 9 For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building.”

Last week, the article I wrote was entitled, “For the Good of Others,” where I argued that the good the Lord has for us is wrapped up in the good we do for others. This week, I am doubling down on that premise and adding to my argument that not only is the good we do for others filled with the blessings God has for us, but is in proportion to the service we give. To be clear, our blessings are for the sole purpose of fulfilling the objective of Christ entering the world, “For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:17).

A cursory look at the principal text might mislead some into thinking that it’s possible to earn salvation. Paul’s letter to the church in Rome corrects that misunderstanding. He wrote, “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast” (Romans 11:6).

Whether we plant like Paul or water like Apollos, we are using the blessings God has given us to lead others to salvation. God is gracious in His gifts for those who work to glorify His will. I like to think that our blessings are so abundant and plentiful that we can’t help but to be a blessing to others.

Paul encourages us in our work and the sharing of our blessings through his letter to the Colossians, "Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ" (3:23 NLT).

As co-workers in God’s service, the proportionate blessings we receive from God is threefold, the privilege of working in the Lord’s vineyard, the joy of directing humanity in the direction of the finished work of Christ on the cross, and “in the world to come…, eternal life.”

Be Blessed!

Rev. J. Loren Russell is an associate minister at Goodwill Baptist Church and is the spiritual leader of the Evangelical Church of God, both in the Bronx, President/CEO of The JLR Company/J Loren R Consulting, LLC for Church Financial & Strategic Consulting (718-328-8096) and is the producer and host of “Matters of Faith – The Radio Show” on Monday nights from 8:00 – 10:00 PM on The Matters of Faith YouTube channel. Be sure to ‘Friend, Like, and Share.” Email us at mattersoffaith.mof@gmail.com. Order your copy of Matters of Faith: The eBook at www.smashwords.com/books/view/993177