“But now being made free from sin and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life” (Rom. 6:22).
In relationship we are children of God through faith in our Saviour Jesus Christ; in work we are servants to God. Let no one suppose that this title is reserved for prominent Christians only. Every believer can be a servant as truly as Luther, Wesley, Spurgeon, Muller, Chapman, or any other. We have the privilege of turning into service for the Lord whatever the hand finds to do (Col. 3:23-24). We may sweep a floor, prepare a meal, milk a cow, paint a house, and do it as much to the glory of God as though we were preaching in darkest Africa, or caring for the fatherless and destitute. Whatever honest calling we are in, let us therein abide with God, so working as if He had specially placed us there, saying, “Serve Me in this place, doing this work for Me.” This ennobles common duties, and takes away all feeling of drudgery. The angel Gabriel would glorify God as truly in sweeping a street crossing (if such were the Divine will) as in flying on the errands of his Creator. Do each daily task as unto the Lord; so will it become service to God, and the reward will be sure.
The believer has been made free from sin, that he may serve God. This is not freedom from the possibility of sinning, but from sin as a master, quite another thing. There was a time when we were “sold under sin” (Rom. 7:14) and could not free ourselves. We groaned under our bondage and cried, “Who shall deliver me?” Thank God, deliverance has come through the Lord Jesus Christ by His death on the Cross. Now we take up His words with joy, “If the Son shall make you free, then are ye free indeed” (John 8:36).
We now have our fruit unto holiness. Since his conversion the apostle Paul could say of the Lord, “Whose I am, and Whom I serve” (Acts 27:23), regarding himself as the Lord’s in spirit, soul and body; consequently his life yielded, in abundant measure, the “peaceable fruit of righteousness” (Heb. 12:11). In like manner our lives also should be producing “much fruit,” for herein is our heavenly Father glorified (John 15:8).
The life of service here below will not be for ever; death or the coming of the Lord will end it. Opportunities are becoming fewer as the days quickly pass, therefore it is our wisdom to make the best use of the time that remains. Yet, how blessed! the end will be everlasting life—a life in Heaven never to end. Here we toil and labour under difficulties; yonder is our rest and sure reward.