To Avoid “I-dolatry,” Serve God, Not Self

by Kevin Burton

   One of my all-time favorite Christian songs  gives me chills sometimes but it fills me with regret.

   That’s because for the most part I haven’t lived up to its message.

   “Lord of the Harvest” by The Imperials is the song  The operative lyric, “Lord of the harvest, place Your fire in me. Servant you need now, servant I will be.”

   The song ends with “Wherever you may lead me, Lord of the Harvest I’ll go.”

   Far too many are like me I guess forgetting that we are  called to serve, judging by a recent message from In Touch Ministries, which was founded by the late Dr. Charles Stanley. 

   The harvest referred to in the song is of souls, human beings who need to know the gospel good news and put their faith in Jesus Christ as savior, before it’s everlastingly too late. But service to Christ can take many forms.

   A vital first step according to In Touch, get yourself off the throne.

   “Who is a servant of God? We are,” the message reads. “Some people think that believers are separated into two groups: servants (individuals in full-time ministry) and laypeople. The Bible makes no such distinction.”

  “Instead, Paul—a tentmaker by trade—reminds the Ephesians that believers are saved so that they might serve.”

   “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them (Eph. 2:10 NKJV).

  “If there were no other reason to serve God besides gratitude for salvation, that would be cause enough. We are rescued and given eternal life along with the Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence. Our service is an acknowledgment of all the Father did for us by sending His Son.”

   “Many people, believers included, serve the big ‘I.’ In other words, they’re continually thinking, What do I find satisfying and pleasing? What do I need to be happy and prosperous?”

   “Here’s a harsh reality and a simple way to remember it: “

   “If ‘I’ is our master, we are committing I-dolatry. Anything given first place over God—including selfish desires—is an idol.”

   What a clear, straightforward way to remember what we’re supposed to be doing as Christians. What a terrific reminder, as it is so easy to fall back into I-dolatry.

   “Service isn’t just a good idea,” the In Touch message reads. “God calls us to be servants so we can each invest our life in an eternally valuable purpose: the salvation of others and their subsequent discipleship for His glory. Our job may seem small or our limitations great, but the truth is that we’re all servants of Christ with a role in the kingdom.”

   May God equip us to begin that role immediately. It’s not too late for us to get going. More lyrics from Lord of the Harvest:

   “Time like a free wind, so quickly slips away Too soon today’s tomorrow, too soon  a yesterday. So little time for the reaping and the laborers are few Lift your head to the fields of white, the work that we must do.”

   Why not get started now as good preparation, since serving is what we will do in Heaven.

   “Therefore they are before the throne of God, and serve Him day and night in His temple. And He who sits on the throne will dwell among them (Rev. 7:15 NKJV).  

   “And there shall be no more curse, but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve Him (rev. 22:3 NKJV).