The Christian’s service in the church is a service by faith in Jesus Christ. This passage asserts that God will provide for all of our needs so every Christian is liberated from being reluctant and enabled to spend our lives to faithful service for Christ.

The Christian concept of waiting is much different than the what we generally think about waiting. Our waiting is a privilege and expression of our citizenship. We are actively engaged in holy living—the same living we will do in heaven—as we wait for our Lord’s return.

When Christ lays hold of you, He controls you. Subsequently, you yield to Him and lay hold of Him by growing in holiness. A holy life is proof that Christ has laid hold of your life.

There are many things that we love and cherish. However, Christians consider all of it as rubbish when compared to the surpassing value of knowing Christ.

Two examples of Christian service are given in this passage. What Scripture says about Timothy and Epaphroditus demonstrate how God works in ordinary Christians both to will and to work for His good pleasure.