“For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for His name in serving the saints, as you still do” (Hebrews 6:10).
Are you involved in a ministry towards your fellow believers? Maybe you are a pastor who has labored for many years in a church. Or you are not a pastor, but just an active church member, always ministering to your brothers and sisters in your local church.
You might feel that only a few people seem to notice all the work you are doing and the love you are pouring into your people. You do the work out of love for Christ, but occasionally you cannot help but wonder if there will be a reward, some day.
It’s by God’s grace alone
The author of the letter of Hebrews assures us that God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and love for the saints. Does this mean that the things you do for your brothers and sisters, earn you some measure of merit? Is your salvation partly dependent on what you do for God? The Bible clearly teaches in many places that we are not saved by our works, but by God’s grace alone. So this verse must point to some other meaning.
When you show love for the saints, for your fellow believers, you reflect the nature of God. God sees in you the work of the Holy Spirit and the image of His Son, Jesus Christ. This is why He will not overlook what you do to others for His name (Matthew 6:4, Matthew 10:42, 1 Corinthians 3:14). By showing love in practical ways, your salvation becomes visible because Jesus Christ shines in you.
Keep on serving!
So if you feel tired in God’s service to your fellow believers, who are saints but might not always behave as saints, think of this wonderful verse. God sees everything you do in his service. And did Christ not say: “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to Me” (Matthew 25:40). Do not give up serving your brothers and sisters but keep on going till the end!
Take some time to reflect on God’s love for you and the delight He takes in you! He does not overlook you or the things you do in His kingdom.