It is easy to get caught up in completing what is required of us. We have many different roles and each demand certain basic requirements in order to maintain good standing. When it comes to our service to God, there is more to it than that. On several occasions Jesus scorned the Pharisees for their legalistic focus and neglecting the weightier matters of the law (Matt. 23:23; 9:13; 12:6-7). Let us consider some weightier matters connected to our obedience.
The Bible teaches about the importance of not neglecting the assembling of ourselves together (Heb. 10:24-25). There is more to it than just attendance. It is another opportunity to show our love to God (1 John 3:1). Consideration should be given to the elders that have the charge of shepherding the flock (Acts 20:28). There is an encouragement we receive by seeing the faith of others (Rom. 1:11-12).
We are also instructed to be giving of our means. There is a duty connected to our contributions (2 Cor. 9:6-7). There is more to it than just giving. Our giving reflects the blessing of God in our lives (2 Cor. 9:8). With our giving, God is glorified because thanks is given to God for the generosity to His saints (2 Cor. 9:12-13). As always, “it is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35).
We might not think about it but we have been commanded to sing in our worship to God (Eph. 5:19). In this act of worship, we express our praise and gratitude to God (Heb. 13:15-16). While we sing, we are praying, exhorting, worshipping and teaching. “Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God” (Col. 3:16).
We have been commissioned to carry the greatest message to the World (Matt. 28:18-20). While we are in the process of doing it, we can lose sight of the magnitude of the work. We focus on contacts made and the number of baptisms, but it is more than that. We must remember that those without the gospel are lost (2 Thess. 1:8-9). God’s message is the only saving message; any other adulterated version has no power to save (Rom. 1:16). Our level of involvement in evangelism correlates with our level of concern for souls. “Look to the right and see; for there is no one who regards me; there is no escape for me; no one cares for my soul” (Psa. 142:4).
We must consider the deeper reasons for why we do what we do. Seeing the deeper matters of what God desires removes obedience out of obligation and brings it to obedience for the love of God and our fellow man.