Love = Service

I have been saving up some quotes that I have read to write articles about them. The first one I want to share is this one: "I will not work my soul to save, For that my Lord alone has done; But I will work like any slave, Because I'm loved by God's dear Son!" — William Henry Griffith Thomas. Let’s break this quote down.

First is the idea that I will not work my soul to save. Why? Because you cannot. There is absolutely nothing you can do, in and of yourself, outside of Jesus, besides living a perfect life to save yourself. Romans 3:23 is pretty plain that all have sinned. So the perfect life is out. That is bad news for all of us who like to fix our problems ourselves. You are lost and cannot do anything about it outside of Jesus.

That is why the second part of this quote is so important: because Jesus did what we could not do. God knew the separation because of our sin was so great we could not overcome it ourselves so He sent Jesus to bridge that gap (John 3:16). Praise God! If I want to be saved, I must be in Christ (Galatians 3:27). I owe a debt I could not pay, He paid a debt He did not owe.

That should produce gratitude in my life. That gratitude should cause me to give my life to Christ (become His slave as the quote says). And work for Him like a slave who is not forced to work but willingly giving my service (Exodus 21:5-6). Have you ever had someone give you so much or had someone who loved you so much you wanted to do what you could for them? I think that is the idea Jesus is giving in Matthew 22:37. When we love God with everything, then we are going to live the way he calls us to live. A life of service to Him. Are you thankful for what Jesus has done? It will show in your life.