I Want to be a Worker for the Lord?

There is a song that we sing from time to time entitled “I want to be a worker for the Lord.” It is a song that most everyone knows and as a result we really sing out. But have we really paid much attention to the words of that song? Verse one goes like this; “I want to be a worker for the Lord, I want to love and trust His holy word; I want to sing and pray and be busy every day, In the kingdom of the Lord. I will work, I will pray, I will labor every day in the vineyard of the Lord.” Every Christian should love to sing this song because they are living this kind of life on a day to day basis. However, such is not the case. Many, far too many, Christians are singing the words to this song and others without thinking about what they are saying to God. How can one sing “I want to be a worker for the Lord” and seldom attend the services of the Lord? Or how can one sing “I want to sing and pray and be busy every day” when God is not their priority in life? There are many things that are involved in the Lord’s work in which we should be active workers in His vineyard.

The Lord’s Work is More Than Singing

The Lord’s work consists of several areas of our life as a Christian. Before we can get motivated to do His work we must first believe totally in Him (John 6:28-29). When we believe in the Lord we then should be moved to constantly want to do good. Paul wrote: “comfort your hearts and establish you in every good word and work” (2 Thessalonians 2:17). Wanting to do good and to practice righteousness in the Lord is something that each one of us should WANT to do (Ephesians 2:10; Acts 10:35). A worker for the Lord is one that takes every opportunity to teach someone about the wonderful Christ (1 Corinthians 16:10). However, we can’t teach anyone the word of God if we do not take the time to study the word ourselves (2 Timothy 2:15).

The Lord’s work also consists of keeping ALL of the commandments in which He has given to us (Luke 17:10; Philippians 2:12-14). It does not do us any good to profess to be a Christian, a disciple, if we are not making every attempt to DO all of the things in which Christ has asked us to do. 

How Should We Do His Work?

When we do the Lord’s work we should not do it to be seen of men (Matthew 6:1; 23:5). We should be workers for the Lord because we want to please Him, not because we want to be seen of men to please them. If we are pleasing to the Lord, then we will be pleasing to men. We should desire to do His work because we want to give God the glory (Matthew 5:16; 1 Corinthians 10:31). When we set our minds to do His work willingly (1 Corinthians 9:17), and heartily (Colossians 3:23), then we will ensure that everything we do in word or deed will be in Christ’s name (by His authority, Colossians 3:17).

Why Should We Have a Desire to Do His Work?

There are at least four reasons I can think of why we should have a sincere desire to do the Lord’s work. 1) In order to be saved. Paul wrote: “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). Eternal salvation with Christ will only come to those that obey him (Hebrews 5:9). 2) In order to be acceptable to Him. “But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:35). When we fear God we will keep His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13) and do the right thing in His sight (James 4:17). Are you working righteousness in all aspects of your life before the eyes of Christ today? 3) To be blessed. We are blessed when we perform up to Christ’s standards, not ours or our friends (Matthew 5:3-11). 4) To be rewarded. In the book of Revelation 22:12 we read: “And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” Since our reward is based upon our work (2 Corinthians 5:10), then what manner of persons ought we to be (2 Peter 3:11). 

Conclusion

May we all be “workers for the Lord” not in word only but in action! A true worker for the Lord will be evident to all. Paul wrote to Timothy: “Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all” (1 Timothy 4:15). May we all be determined to work for the Lord to the very end (Revelation 2:26). Paul wrote to the Corinthians: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). How sad it will be at the judgment to know that we wore the name “Christian,” and sang the song to God “I want to be a worker for the Lord,” but never put into practice what we said to Him (Matthew 15:8-9)!