There are countless instances in God’s Word where the words on our title have application. Many of God’s servant in the past and many today fit the bill. Christianity is a religion of action. Since we have “been raised with Christ,” we are to live our lives daily for Him!

We read about such an individual in Paul’s Epistle to Philemon. In Philemon 1:5 we have these words: “hearing of your love and faith toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints.” Paul is commending Philemon for living out his faith.

As is the case, Philemon’s genuine love and faith in and towards the Lord Jesus resulted in his love for others. (Romans 5:5; Galatians 5:6 and 1 John 3:14). Some other instances of hearing about the love and service of believers in the New Testament is found in 2 John 1:4 and 3 John 1:3-4

In Philemon 6, as a result of his love and faith in and for Jesus, Philemon shares his faith. He becomes a “doer as well as a hearer” of God’s Word (James 1:22). Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep on (keep on keeping) My commandments.” (John 14:15).

This results in a life where one’s faith rubs off on those around him. Folks see you serving God and knowing that it is real for you can motivate others to seek to serve Jesus more and more.

It can result I striving to reach the lost and strengthen the saved. It will motivate us to help the lost find their way out of the “kingdom of darkness and be conveyed to the kingdom of the Son of His love.”

You can, like Philemon, have a joy in your life because of the love you show, first of all to Christ, and then to others.

Larry Miles lives in Louisville, KY