Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love . . . (1 Thessalonians 1:3 (KJV))
The title of today’s word of encouragement is a popular phrase that refers to any work done for no financial compensation, because it is work that is motivated and manifested by a heart that overflows with thanksgiving for the service one is providing. You can see from today’s Scripture passage that our English phrase finds its origin in these words penned by the apostle Paul to the church at Thessalonica.
Another way you could express “labor of love” would be “Labor driven and directed by love.” And therein lies the key to serving the Lord in a way that brings honor and glory to His name. Whether the work is paid or volunteer matters not. What matters is the “why” behind the work we are doing. Are we doing it for the money? Are we doing it for the applause of man? Are we doing it for our own glory? Or are we doing it simply as an act of love and thanksgiving to Jesus for all He has done for us?
Everything we do should be a labor of love to our Lord. The more time we spend in the presence of our Lord, the better we will understand how His love empowers, encourages, and equips us to live our lives, moment by moment, in the light of His love.
So here is the big question: Is the job you are currently doing a labor of love to your Lord? Regardless of what it is you are doing, from changing the world to changing diapers, your work matters to God, and He wants you to do it for His glory and the expansion of His Kingdom.
Remember, Jesus saved you for relationship, and that relationship must not be compartmentalized. Jesus is to be sitting on the throne of every aspect of your life, including your work. Work is a gift from God; the way we do our work is our gift back to Him. May the confession of our work be a labor of love for our Lord, regardless of what kind of work we are doing.
This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!
Grace for the Race 