DISCIPLESHIP, BONDMANSHIP AND LABOURING

G. W. Easton

Matthew 10: 24, 25 (to “as his lord”);

Romans 16: 12 “who has laboured much in the Lord”; 1 Corinthians 16: 15, 16

I have a simple impression to convey relating to our beloved brother in view of the help of each one of us. This scripture comes to mind as to the reason that our beloved brother has suffered so much during this last little while. It was said of another beloved servant of the Lord as to his suffering, and I believe we could say of our beloved brother as to this last little while, how patiently and yet how enduringly he has gone through. And in view, as it says in this scripture, of the disciple being as his Teacher. But, dear brethren, is it to remain there? I believe the Lord would speak to every one of our hearts in view of this being found in us at the present time. Our brother has served his generation and fallen asleep, but the word would come to each one of us as to our discipleship and the answer to it. A brother gave us a word yesterday evening as to the need for devotedness, and I believe we have seen these features, but are they to disappear, beloved brethren? May they be, in an increasing way, seen and appreciated at the present time by the Lord Himself in each one of us as committing ourselves to the path. It also refers to the bondman being as “his lord”, and I believe we are to take account of these features at the present time, the features of a bondman, doing what is required of him by “his lord”. It is very challenging and very searching. May there be present fruit from that. Let us think of all that we have seen and taken account of, as our brother has just reminded us, as to this feature of bondmanship, and become like our Lord Jesus Christ.

I read from Romans 16 because I believe we could say this of our beloved brother that he “laboured much in the Lord”, under direction, in bondmanship, in relation to Him, in all that came to his hand to do. We think of the labours, and, as we say, the midnight oil that our brother has expended. May we now today, as baptised for the dead, commit ourselves to this indeed, to labour much in the Lord. None of us, except perhaps our dear sister, .would appreciate the full extent of the labour involved.

I read from Corinthians because it says “and they have devoted themselves to the saints for service”—how true of our brother! And there is the exhortation to each one of us, “that ye should also be subject to such, and to every one joined in the work and labouring”. I believe, beloved brethren, it would call for fresh committals at this time. You see, there is a need, there is a place vacant, the brethren will understand what I mean by that, that the place our brother filled is now empty. May there be those coming forward in relation to this, “that ye should also be subject to such, and to every one joined in the work and labouring”. May this, indeed, be a word to us all to engage in this occupation of labouring in relation to the Lord and all that it means. May all our hearts be stirred freshly to commit ourselves to the Lord Jesus. How great and glorious! The time is not long, beloved brethren, not very long now, when He will come to claim His own, but let us be engaged in what is related to Him and His Lordship as bondmen. May it be so for His name’s sake.