The Great Commission. Miscellaneous Writings of C. H. Mackintosh, vol. IVMackintosh, Charles Henry
Religion
The Great Commission. Miscellaneous Writings of C. H. Mackintosh, vol. IV
Mackintosh, Charles Henry
Theology
The fact is that the service of God is a much simpler matter than some
of us imagine. It does not consist in doing some wonderful things
beyond the bounds of our divinely appointed sphere of action. Take the
case of a domestic servant. How can she serve the living and true God?
She cannot go about visiting and talking. Her sphere of action lies in
the shade and retirement of her master's house. Were she to run about
from house to house, she would be actually neglecting her proper work,
her divinely appointed business. Harken to the following sound and
wholesome words: "Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own
masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again:
not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the
doctrine of God our Saviour in all things" (Titus ii. 9, 10).
Here we see that the servant, by obedience, humility and honesty can
adorn the doctrine of God just as effectually, according to her
measure, as an evangelist ranging the world over in the discharge of
his high and holy commission.
Again, we read, "Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters
according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your
heart, as unto Christ; not with eye-service as men-pleasers, but as
_the servants of Christ_, doing the will of God from the heart; with
good-will doing _service_, as to the Lord, and not to men; knowing
that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of
the Lord, whether he be bond or free" (Eph. vi.).
How lovely is all this! What a fine field of service is opened up for
us here! How beautiful this "fear and trembling!" Where do we see it
nowadays? Where is the holy subjection to authority? Where the
singleness of eye? Where the willing-hearted service? Alas! we see
headiness and high-mindedness, self-will, self-pleasing, and
self-interest. How must all these things dishonor the Lord, and grieve
His Holy Spirit! How needful that our souls should be roused to a
sense of what becomes us as those who are called to serve the living
and true God! Is it not a signal mercy to every true Christian to know
that he can serve and glorify God in the most commonplace domestic
duties? If it were not so, what would become of ninety-nine out of
every hundred Christians?
We have taken up the case of an ordinary domestic servant in order to
illustrate that special line of practical truth now under our
consideration. Is it not most blessed for us to know that our God
graciously condescends to connect His name and His glory with the very
humblest duties that can devolve upon us in our ordinary domestic
life? It is this which imparts dignity, interest and freshness to
every little act, from morning till night. "Whatsoever ye do, do it
_heartily_, as unto the Lord, and not unto men." Here lies the
precious secret of the whole matter. It is not working for wages, but
serving the Lord Christ, and looking to Him to receive the reward of
the inheritance.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account