Thurs Devo: Free to Serve

I’m in a Revelation Bible study this year. It’s been a real joy to focus on so many different attributes of the Trinity that John writes about. In fact, I found it interesting that John greets the churches to whom he is writing and then immediately stops to praise Jesus!

Revelation 1:4-8       ⁴ John,

To the seven churches in the province of Asia:

Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne, ⁵ and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.

To him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood, ⁶ and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve his God and Father—to him be glory and power for ever and ever! Amen.

⁷ “Look, he is coming with the clouds,”
    and “every eye will see him,
even those who pierced him”;
    and all peoples on earth “will mourn because of him.”
So shall it be! Amen.

⁸ “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.”

John knows that the churches are undergoing severe persecution. The fact that he starts his letter by reminding them of who they serve (and why) must have been encouraging. It’s encouraging to me! My problems can seem big or overwhelming, but when I am reminded of who God is and all Jesus did for me to free me from my sin, I’m compelled to continue to worship and serve Him out of gratitude.

I’m not freed from sin to serve myself, but to serve the Almighty Alpha and Omega who will reign forever, after all the troubles in this life are over.

Knowing how much God loves you and all He has freed you from, how are you compelled?

Alice