Are You Useful for the Master?
A guest post by Chad Ramsey.
When Paul wrote to Timothy, he affirmed individuals can be “sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work” (2 Timothy 2:21, NKJV).
Obviously, Christians should desire to be useful to God. Such a desire is both noble and natural.
The Desire to be Useful to God is Noble.
It is noble because it provides us with a legitimate purpose in life.
We should serve others; we should help others. Those who live in this manner do not act “through selfish ambition or conceit” but rather with consideration “for the interests of others” (Philippians 2:3-4).
They are not trying to make a name for themselves. They are not trying to gain an advantage. Instead, those “useful for the Master” treat others as they wish to be treated (Matthew 7:12). Selflessness abounds. Their efforts are spent in service to a greater cause.
The Desire to be Useful to God is Natural.
The pursuit of this sort of usefulness is natural because it accords with our role as God’s “workmanship” (Ephesians 2:10).
Because we have been “created in Christ Jesus for good works” (verse 10), we must be “doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22).
We exist to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Nothing could be more natural.
Ways to be Useful to God.
To be “useful for the Master,” we must both help those who are in need and actively maintain our purity (James 1:27). To be doctrinally right and morally pure is not enough.
We cannot keep our religion safe in the confines of our church buildings. We cannot reserve the message of Jesus for those who happen to visit our assemblies.
Like Jesus, who crossed the Sea of Galilee to help one poor soul who was afflicted by demons (cf. Mark 5:1-20), we must go to places where we are uncomfortable to reach those who are seeking.
This may mean crossing the street to invite a neighbor to a Bible study.
It may mean going across town to volunteer in a homeless shelter or crisis pregnancy center.
It may mean talking to your co-workers during the day.
It may mean giving an extra contribution to support a missionary effort.
3 Components for True Usefulness.
According to Paul, the one who is “useful to the Master” must be morally pure (2 Timothy 2:22), doctrinally mature (verse 23), and must deal with others in a humble, gentle manner (verses 24-26).
All three components are necessary for true usefulness to exist.
Those who are morally pure but doctrinally immature tend to be self-righteous.
Those who are doctrinally mature but morally debased are hypocritical.
Those who lack patience and kindness when dealing with others, even if they are morally pure and doctrinally mature, harm the cause of Christ.
Growth in each area is needed.
The church needs every member to seek to be “useful for the Master.” We do not all have the same abilities or the same responsibilities (cf. 1 Corinthians 12:12-31). We will not all be “vessels of gold” (2 Timothy 2:20), but we can all do our part! Are you “useful”?
Chad Ramsey preaches for the Gloster Street Church of Christ in Tupelo, Mississippi. You can access their Bible classes and Chad’s sermons on Gloster Street’s YouTube page.
Chad was - and still is - “my preacher” from when I spent my high school and early college years at Gloster Street. I’m thankful to be able to share some of his writings with you.
Simple, refreshing. Living for Christ is not rocket science. I love this combination: patience, kindness, moral purity, and sound doctrine. A good yardstick for day-to-day life.