In last weeks sermon we looked at one of the reformed principles of the Doctrine of Vocation. Here we have the underlying principle that whatever out lot is in life, God has called us to be there to serve him and glorify him in that vocation. Vocation can mean serving God full-time in ministry and also means those who serve God as secretaries, custodians, doctors, lawyers, stay at home moms and students all have a unique and wonderful opportunity to serve God where ever he has called us. The importance of this doctrine is that it adds dignity and honor to whatever we do in life. Society makes distinctions placing some vocations as more dignified than others.Culture can create an attitude of disdain towards certain vocations which leads to a poor attitude in general. Let me give and an example:
Often times when you go to a fast food restaurant you will find disgruntled employees who are slack in their job and treat their customers poorly. This is based on an attitude cultivated by a society that places different degrees of dignity on certain vocations. For a Christian who may be placed in that position for whatever reason, should see this not so much as a low wage job with no dignity but rather as an opportunity to serve God in that particular place and glorify him in that calling. (By the way- the silver lining in a bad economy is that people do their jobs a whole lot better. I notice since the unemployment rates have risen- customer service has improved drastically in many places. People want to keep their jobs now!)
This is reflected in Col. 3:23-24 "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ." The bible makes it explicitly clear that what ever we do, we are ultimately serving Christ.That means whether we are flipping burgers in a fast food restaurant or working as a professional, we must see our vocation as service to the Lord. If we see things like that it adds dignity to whatever we do, it makes us enjoy our jobs more and ultimately we become a "mask of God" in whatever setting we are in- being a light for the gospel.
This doesn't mean we shouldn't seek to improve our situation. Paul encouraged slaves to obtain their freedom if possible. If we can improve our situation we should by all means do so, but our attitudes need to be right. We must see that even if we do seek to improve our situation in life either by getting an education or professional training, it should be with the intention of having a better opportunity to glorify God. After all we need more godly lawyers who will remain honest and truthful in their practice. We need doctors who genuinely career for their patients and are not in the practice just for a buck. We live in a country where opportunity abounds. But we should see everything in life as a calling from God to serve him regardless of the circumstances. And that is dignified no matter what the circumstances.
The overarching theme in 1 Cor. 7 is the issue of whether to remain single or married. Both are vocations and both have dignity. So we can serve and glorify God in either calling. But there is a special opportunity for single people to serve God unhindered by the responsibilities of family life. I would encourage singles as I do often- don't waste your singleness. Use whatever resources and time you have for the Kingdom of God. The more you invest in the Kingdom the more you will reap in eternity. Keep that in mind. This world is passing away and the time is very short. Eternity is forever- therefore make you home there.
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