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Uncover the rewarding journey of working for Jesus Christ. Learn about the profound importance of Christian service, discipleship, evangelism, and more. This article is a guide for all seeking to strengthen their faith and live out a Christ-centered life of love, unity, and service. Empower your spiritual growth today.

Engaging in meaningful work is a key condition for the growth and strengthening of Christian faith. Just as physical strength relies on exercise, spiritual strength is sustained by spiritual work—serving your faith. A Christian who is actively serving is not only happier but also spiritually stronger. Some Christians are able to avoid backsliding simply because they are so engaged in their spiritual duties. However, others backslide because of their idleness. As Jesus told his first disciples, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). If you’re not drawing others towards Christ, you’re not truly following him.

Being fruitful in bringing others to Christ is a critical condition for prayer’s power. As Jesus said in John 15:16, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, He may give it to you.” These words clearly express that those who bear fruit can pray in the name of Christ and receive what they ask for. Bearing fruit in Christ’s strength is also a condition for complete joy, as Jesus tells us in John 15:11, “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” Experience validates these words; those who actively work to bring others to Christ are those who find the most joy in Christ himself.

If you aspire to be a joyful, strong Christian and one who excels in prayer, start serving immediately and make it a daily habit. But how can a new Christian serve? How can they bear fruit? The answer is straightforward: By sharing with others the changes your Savior has made in your life, encouraging them to accept Him, and guiding them on how to do so. There’s no task more straightforward, rewarding, or productive than personal evangelism. Even the newest Christian can do personal evangelism. It might not be perfect at first, but practice will improve your efforts. Many Christians around the world start serving Christ and leading others to Him the very day they convert.

Don’t wait until you’ve read a book on evangelism to start—just begin. Avoid wasting time preparing to prepare; some never actually begin. The way to get ready is to start immediately. Commit to speaking about Christ to at least one person every day. The renowned evangelist Dwight L. Moody adopted this resolution early in his Christian life. One story recounts how Moody once realized he hadn’t spoken to anyone about Christ one late evening. Despite the late hour, he saw a man standing under a lamppost and decided to approach him, eventually leading the man to Christ.

We often learn through trial and error. Some of the most effective people I know started out making many mistakes but persevered out of their genuine love for others, gradually learning to do things well. Don’t be discouraged by your blunders; each one is a stepping stone towards success. Strive to lead someone else to Christ every day. Even when you don’t succeed, the work will enrich you.

Create a prayer list. Spend time alone with God and ask Him who should be on that list. Be consistent in praying for them every day and looking for opportunities to speak to them. Even if it takes a long time, don’t give up. I once prayed for about fifteen years for one man before he was converted.

Use tracts wisely. Choose those that meet the needs of different types of people and follow up with prayer and personal effort. Offer to assist your pastor or other church leaders, ensuring that you are someone they can rely on. While participating in activities outside the church is important, your primary duty is to your church.

The path to a fulfilling Christian life is through service, prayer, and love for others. By sharing your faith and actively serving your community, you will experience the joy and strength that come from a close relationship with Christ. So, go forth and bear fruit in His name, knowing that your efforts will be rewarded.

Being an active participant in Christ’s mission is indeed an enriching and rewarding journey. A life of service, coupled with prayer, is a powerful testament of the transformative work of Christ in us and an embodiment of the Gospel’s message of love and redemption. However, there are additional dimensions of service that can enhance a Christian’s spiritual growth and fortify their faith.

Living out a Christian life goes beyond just evangelizing; it also involves discipleship. Evangelism is the starting point, the act of bringing someone to know Christ. But discipleship is the subsequent journey of guiding that person in their walk with Christ, teaching them to obey His commands and helping them to mature in their faith. As Jesus commanded in Matthew 28:19-20, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations…teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” This process of discipleship often involves mentorship, Bible study, and life-on-life engagement. It’s an ongoing commitment that requires patience, wisdom, and love.

One practical way of serving as a Christian is to use our God-given talents and abilities. 1 Peter 4:10 encourages us to “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” Are you good at teaching? Consider leading a Bible study group. Do you have a gift for hospitality? You can serve by hosting fellowship events. Are you skilled in music? Participate in the worship team. Utilizing our talents in service of the Lord not only benefits others but also brings fulfillment and joy to us.

Furthermore, serving in our immediate contexts is an often overlooked but vital aspect of Christian service. Galatians 6:10 advises, “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” This means serving our families, friends, and local communities. It could be as simple as helping a neighbor with chores, providing meals for a sick friend, or volunteering at a local charity. These seemingly mundane acts of service reflect Christ’s love in practical ways and can make a profound impact on those around us.

Christian service also involves standing up for justice and righteousness. Proverbs 31:8-9 exhorts us to “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.” This means advocating for those who are marginalized, oppressed, or vulnerable. It could involve raising awareness of social issues, participating in peaceful protests, supporting ethical causes, or volunteering in organizations that fight injustice.

Importantly, Christian service is not an individualistic endeavor. It is best undertaken in community. The New Testament frequently emphasizes the importance of unity and cooperation in the Body of Christ. As we serve together with other believers, we can encourage one another, learn from each other, and effectively utilize our diverse gifts and abilities.

Lastly, Christian service must be rooted in love. 1 Corinthians 13:3 warns us, “If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing.” Service without love is empty and futile. As we serve, let our motivation be Christ’s love that has been poured into our hearts, and let our aim be to reflect that love to others.

In conclusion, a robust Christian faith is built not only on prayer but also on a life of active service – involving evangelism, discipleship, utilizing our talents, serving in our immediate contexts, advocating for justice, cooperating with other believers, and above all, serving with love. This holistic approach to Christian service deepens our relationship with Christ, strengthens our faith, enriches our spiritual experience, and allows us to make a meaningful impact on the world for Christ’s glory. As we heed Christ’s call to serve, we can indeed expect to experience the fullness of joy, strength, and fulfillment in Him.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).

Reuben Archer Torrey was an American evangelist, pastor, educator, and writer. He authored many books on apologetics, prayer, Christian living, and theology.