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THE
NEW LIFE by
John Marshall
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Chapter
7 • SERVING
THE HOUSEHOLD
If everyone who is born into the new life and the Lord's household
is its servant, how should one serve it? First by realizing
the depth of service that it is: "Hereby know we love,
because he (Jesus) laid down his life for us: and we ought
to lay down our lives for the brethren." This bears looking
at and thinking over time and again-because this is rarely
realized in practice. The offhand way in which we often ignore
the welfare of our brethren makes a mockery of Christ's and
our so-called sacrifices for the brethren.
The first service of every member of the household is to fulfil
in practice our fellowship one with another, with God and
with Jesus-making a reality of sharing a common faith and
purpose; being partners together in working towards a divine-historical
goal. To do this means to understand the capacities and limits
not only of one's own personality, but also of others. Whilst
salvation is an individual matter, fellowship could not be
otherwise than a social one. There are often lonely, elderly
and unwell members of the ecclesia who struggle to the meetings
every Sunday and would welcome words of comfort and sympathy
from those more happily placed. But they may be too busy with
others, and the opportunity for expressing true fellowship
is missed.
Spiritual Partners
It is easy to undertake a particular duty in the ecclesia;
it is far from easy to get to know the brethren and sisters
as spiritual partners; as those who also suffer difficulties
and anxieties; as those who need sympathy and help; as those
who respond and expand to love and care. These are the things
that Peter had in mind when he wrote "Love the brotherhood",
and that John was thinking about when he said: "We know
that we have passed out of death into life, because we love
the brethren,"
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References
1 John 3v16, 1 Pet 2v17, 1 John 3v14
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Chapter
7 • SERVING THE HOUSEHOLD
First things first, then-love, fellowship, partnership, good works
to the brotherhood. And it is upon these things that all other activities
should be founded, so that there will be neither partiality, nor
hypocrisy, but a healthy spiritual unity of love which will issue
in constant worship, praise and thanksgiving to the King of Glory
who has opened for each of us such a wonderful door of hope!
Service begins at the door of the house, or the ecclesia, for the
cheerful, smiling steward who welcomes brethren and sisters and
any visitors to the meeting imparts a warmth of fellowship which
is an important part of the atmosphere of each meeting. Add to this
warmth punctuality in beginning one's duties, efficiency in carrying
them out, a courteousness and helpfulness towards strangers who
come for the public proclamation of the Truth, and these make up
a devoted service to the household which is higher than the value
generally given to it.
Someone has to perform such duties; they are not menial but are
part of the worship, praise and devotion to the
Lord of the whole household; and nothing should be too much trouble
for Him! "I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God,
than to dwell in the tents of wickedness", said the Psalmist,
for the rewards of such truly loving service are eternal.
"Thou Seest All"
Those members suited to the management of an ecclesia are usually
quickly pressed into its service. Whatever the duty, each should
perform it "as unto the Lord". We may not always realize
it but all are constantly under divine scrutiny in all that is said
and done. "He that formed the ear, shall he not hear? He that
formed the eye, shall he not see?" We are not enough aware
that service, in whatever capacity, to the Father is a sacred service
and ought never to be lightly esteemed or half-heartedly carried
out.
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References
Psa 84v10
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