WE ARE SAVED TO SERVE THE LORD

Much has been written about salvation being a free gift, offered to mankind by God, and received whenever an individual places their faith in the truth of the Gospel (Rom. 1:16; 10:8-17; 1 Cor. 15:1-3; Eph. 2:8-9; etc.).  Clearly, it is a gift; it cannot be earned, or it would not be a gift, but wages or payment for service (Rom. 6:23).  And all of this is true!  However, equally clear is the fact that God's born again children are going to be led of the Holy Spirit to be servants of God (Mt. 4:10; 6:24; Lk. 1:74; 4:8; 16:13; Acts 7:7; Rom. 7:6; 16:18; 1 Thes. 1:9; Heb. 9:14; 12:28; Rev. 22:3; etc.)!

Yes, I know Jesus told His disciples He would no longer call them servants, because they were His friends (Jn. 15:15), but let's look at the verse closely:  "Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you."  Believers in Christ are His friends because He chooses to reveal God's truth to us.  That does not mean, as His friend, I am equal to Him.  It does not mean, as His friend, I no longer am expected to do His will.  The Ephesian passage that best proves that salvation is a gift from God to all who will believe in Jesus (2:8-9), is followed by this verse:  "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (2:10).

Yes, I know that the Apostle Paul wrote that believers are no longer servants of the Law, but are adopted children of God (Gal. 4:1-7).  But notice in the passage, a child is treated as a servant until the Father determines he is mature enough to live on his own.  Born again believers are somewhere on a continuum of spiritual maturity, from being "babes in Christ" (Mt. 11:25; 1 Cor. 3:1-2; 1 Pet. 2:2), to being "like Him" (which, according to 1 Jn. 3:2, only occurs following our looking upon Him face-to-face).  God began the process (Jn. 3:3-8; Phil. 1:6), and He continues to mold and shape us into His Son's image and likeness (Rom. 8:28-30)!

The greatest joy a believer can have, is knowing he is in the will of Almighty God!