DILIGENT SERVICE UNTO THE KING OF GLORY

"Wherefore we labour, that whether present or absent we may be accepted of Him." —II Corinthians 5:9 [KJV]

"In all labour there is profit." —Proverbs 14:23. The belief of this maketh the heart diligent, lively, and active. When Nehemiah was stirred up to build the wall of Jerusalem amidst the scoffs and opposition of enemies on every side, yet, in prayer, watching, and working, he and his brethren wrought with one hand, a guard in the other, and this confidence of faith in their hearts, "Our God shall fight for us."—Nehemiah 4:20. Thus animated they laboured till the work was finished. Thus the beloved brethren of Jesus are called to be "stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord;" being confident that the Lord fights for them, and "knowing assuredly that their labour is not in vain in the Lord." 

The labour of love is pleasant, it is profitable to the believing heart; the work of faith is delightful to the soul while it exercises the patience of hope. Most reviving consideration! we serve not a hard task-master; we labour not for a rigorous, severe Lord; we obey not from base, mercenary principles. No; every command of Jesus is in love; every work we do in His name is from love to spiritual good as well as to His glory: we have the fullest assurance that we are "accepted in the Beloved." 

We are not left to doubt of the way of acceptance, nor to do any thing to procure it; the truth, as it is in Jesus, forbids all this; but knowing our persons are accepted in Jesus, this is the most enlivening, powerful motive not only to do, but also to abound in those things with which God is well pleased; to study to please God in our walk and way, cheerfully to lay out ourselves in His service, unreservedly to give up ourselves wholly to the Lord: O, this is the sweet exercise of faith and love. 

Shall we pretend to believe that Jesus is our Saviour and that we are accepted in Him, and yet not labour and strive that our works may please Him? Not study and endeavour, as assisted by His Spirit, to avoid those things that are contrary to His nature and commands? Alas! this is "hail, Master;" only like Judas to give a kiss of hypocrisy, while faith in Him and love to Him are wanting. Thou disciple of Jesus, from that moment thou didst enter into the rest of Jesus by faith, thou art called to labour, that thy works may please God, and be accepted of Him; and when the heart is whole with its Saviour and simply looking to Him, need one forbid such a soul to refrain from the vain pastimes and sinful gratifications of a carnal world? 

No; he saith these things do not please my Lord, they cannot be acceptable to Him, they shall not ensnare me, I cannot displease my Saviour. "We love Him because He first loved us."—1 John 4:19.

-preacher William Mason (1724-1797 A.D.)

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