A Public Service Announcement

I thank God, whom I serve, as my forefathers did (2 Timothy 1:3, NIV).

Public Service Announcements (PSA’s). You’ve heard them. Those educational commercials that are offered simply to make you and me, the public, aware of some particular issue, activity, or opportunity. There are PSA’s on the airwaves to warn teens against smoking, in the newspapers to notify potential plaintiffs in a class action suit, and plastered on billboards to make voters aware of the issues espoused by various candidates. These declarations, by design, are made to concisely and clearly state the facts. They are prepared to allow the public to be informed.

In his brief writings to Timothy, Paul issues a PSA of sorts. He makes a public announcement that he serves his God. While his declaration may have numerous implications, I believe that two become readily apparent. Primarily, Paul was not at all ashamed to state publicly his allegiance to the Lord. It’s one thing to say what we believe and in whom we believe in private, but it is quite another to state the same publicly. It is easy to declare our allegiance when among those of like precious faith, but more challenging to make the same statements among those who have differing beliefs. Paul was not satisfied to be a private follower of his Lord, but rather made his faith known to all. His was a public declaration. Similarly, as children of God, we are called to make the same declaration. It is not enough to stand for our God and His truths only among fellow saints, but we must make our commitments a matter of public record.

Additionally, in making this public announcement, consider Paul’s choice of words. He said that he served his God. Service. Many in our society cringe at the concept of men serving God. Instead they would prefer the opposite: God should serve men. It’s great to be told of an Almighty God who is at the disposal of mankind, but it isn’t as exciting to be asked to submit my life in service to Him. We are comforted to know that He can deliver from addictions, renew broken relationships, heal illnesses and endue with Holy Ghost power. In contrast, we are challenged when called to serve the Lord in various capacities. He has called us to teach His doctrines, preach His message, witness to the lost, work in the fields and fight spiritual battles in order to expand His Kingdom. These things demand our efforts, talents and time. In the face of what might be inconvenient, or against human nature, serving God is a pivotal part of His plan. We are called into His service.

Reviewing the life and accomplishments of the Apostle Paul quickly reveals the profound effect that he had for the Kingdom of God. He was a man who started churches, trained disciples, wrote books and made converts. Quite a resume. Indeed, he served his Lord in a very public way. Jesus Christ is still in need of people who will willingly follow the path of Paul. Our current culture needs Christians to respond to its pressing concerns. In fact, the Lord’s church will always need those who will interrupt their typical programming to make a Public Service Announcement.

In our cultural climate, publicly stating one’s beliefs is not always acceptable. Time and again preachers have pointed out the double standards that are applied to the Bible in our world. It seems fine to state Bible doctrines openly as long as they are in line with the current philosophies. Otherwise, believers are told to tone down our message or we are simply labeled intolerant. Regardless of the attitudes and inequities in our world, we can not relinquish our obligation to openly declare that Jesus Christ is the savior of the world. He lived, died and rose again so that we can find salvation. This is our Public Service Announcement.