Bibledoorajar: Reasonable Service

       God helped Moses to further develop some of the parameters of the Ten Commandments.  In Exodus 21, we find guidance for what would be reasonable service for a Hebrew slave. It would be reasonable for him to serve for six years of careful service completed according to the master's wishes. After that, however, he must be set free UNLESS, HE, OUT OF LOVE, AND, OF HIS OWN ACCORD, chose to remain in service. If he so chose, the master would take him before God, have him stand at the doorpost and an awl would be driven through his ear. This would signify that he had elected lifetime service freely before God and man.
       The New Testament declares that Christians have a reasonable service to God. It declares that if we choose it freely, out of love, it is doable. We can come to the Door, participate in His piercing, and He will help us serve God for life. The apostle to the Gentiles says:

"Therefore I exhort you, brothers, through the compassions of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy to God, well-pleasing, which is your reasonable service."    Romans 12:1, Berean Literal Bible
 
     And, this freely sought for and freely given reasonable service will look something like this:

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain."  1
Corinthians 15:58, Berean Literal Bible

     Our reasonable service springs from the actions of the Holy Spirit speaking God's truth to us through the compassions of God ( as the preacher said this morning, grace upon grace). Our works may not seem reasonable to the world especially if they feel we are too steadfast and too immovable. But if you read the book of Mark you will find our Servant Leader steadfast and immovable in His service to His Father and fellow man. Often, when I do not find something I am called on to do as reasonable and I feel it will be unappreciated, I have a friend who gently reminds me to consider it a doable service. I try to think back on the book of Mark. The Servant just went about and did. Some times he was appreciated and sometimes He was not. But He always did what He could. It was doable through prayer and through a desire to excel in service. And, it was not in vain. 

                                       "Door of my heart I hasten 
                                         Thee will I open wide. 
                                 Though He rebuke and chasten 
                                         He will with me abide."  
                                                                      M.B. Slade