Training for Service

Mark 6:7-13; Luke 10:1, 2; 14:25-27

GOLDEN TEXT: “He that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.”—Matthew 10:38

PRAYER is a very important consideration in the Christian’s training for service. It is an essential in keeping our own hearts in the, love of God; and prayer for the general welfare of the work in which we are engaged helps to keep our interest in that work broad and unselfish. It is well to remember, though, that our prayers, no matter how earnest and sincere they may be, will not change the plan and will of God. We are invited to pray merely for those things which are in keeping with God’s will—the things which he has promised on our behalf and on behalf of the whole world.

When Jesus said, “After this manner therefore pray ye,” he evidently did not mean that we should use the exact words of his model prayer as a formula, and nothing more. Undoubtedly, though, many if not all of the main essentials of prayer are incorporated in what is familiarly known as “The Lord’s Prayer.” The first thought of the prayer is that of reverence for the Heavenly Father. Too often we overlook the importance of this, going to God more to seek something from him than to give him glory.

The second important consideration of the Lord’s Prayer is that of turning our minds and hearts in the direction of others, for the request, “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done,” is a prayer for the blessing of all the families of the earth. (Matt. 6:10) To ponder well the meaning of this is important to our training for divine service. Unless our service is unselfish it cannot be acceptable to God, and for the burden of our prayers to be for the welfare of others first, tends to turn our hearts away from self and toward God and toward those whom he purposes to bless through the messianic kingdom.

However, in praying “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done,” we are not to think that the petition will be answered through our own efforts. This may be the thought of some, but it is erroneous. God’s kingdom cannot be established in the earth, and his will imposed upon the people through the efforts of the church in the flesh. This is not the present work of the church, but all true Christians are commissioned to be ambassadors of the Lord to give a “witness” to the world. (Matt. 24:14) Their service along these lines is part of their training for the future glorious service of actually enlightening and blessing mankind, and giving to all an opportunity through Christ for health and everlasting life.

Another important consideration in the Christian’s training for divine service is that of learning to exercise implicit faith in the wisdom and love of God in caring for his people. God has promised to supply all our needs, both temporal and spiritual; but it is well that we show our appreciation of this loving interest by making our needs a matter of prayer, so Jesus taught us to pray, “Give us this day our daily bread.”

“Forgive us our trespasses.” How much we need forgiveness! And we can come boldly to the throne of grace with the assurance that our prayers for forgiveness will be answered. But there is a condition attached to obtaining divine forgiveness of our trespasses. It is our forgiveness of those who trespass against us. In this also is important training in godlikeness, a heart-cleansing from bitterness and malice.

And how appropriate that we pray, “Lead us not into temptation”! In this as well as in the remainder of the prayer we but claim the divine promises. We do not ask the Lord not to lead us into temptation because we think there is any danger that he will, but because we are assured by his promises and by the integrity of his character that he will not so do. We reverence and hallow God’s name, and tell him so in our prayers. We know of his many promises to establish his kingdom to rule over the earth, so we pray for that kingdom, knowing that such a prayer is in keeping with his will. He has promised to supply all our needs, so we make those needs a matter of prayer. We are assured that God “tempteth no man,” so we pray, “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”—James 1:13

And God will deliver us from evil. He is constantly delivering us from the “snare of the fowler.” (Psalm 91:3) And if we endure training patiently and faithfully to the end, and are found worthy to serve as part of The Christ of glory, God will deliver us from this weak body of flesh and exalt us to glory, honor, and immortality. What a glorious prospect!

In entering into the school of Christ to be trained for present and future service, it is well to recognize that it is for a lifetime, and that our training will not be complete until we have been faithful unto death. “Take up your cross and follow me,” Jesus said. (Matt. 16:24; Luke 9:23) To follow Jesus means to walk in the way that leads to death. That is what cross-bearing means. And if our training is having its designed effect upon us we will humbly and joyfully endure whatever experiences divine providence may deem best for us. Paul gave us a similar thought when he wrote, “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.”—Phil. 2:5

QUESTIONS:

Explain how prayer is a part of the Christian’s training.

Is it the Christian’s work now to convert the world?

Does God ever lead his people into temptation?

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