Colossians 1:9-10 says, “For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God.” Small and seemingly insignificant details can sometimes convey a great amount of information. The following are three signs of how enthusiastic we are about the Lord’s work.

The first is singing. The act of singing is closely related to the state of the heart. Singing with the spirit is the overflow of a Spirit-filled heart (Ephesians 5:18-19). It is very difficult for an unenthusiastic heart to sing a joyful song (Psalm 137:1-4). The manner in which we sing — whether with fervency or with indifference — is one indication to our children, our visitors, and our fellow Christians of how interested we are in the things of the Lord (John 4:23-24).

The second is Bible class participation. Bible classes offered by the congregation are for our benefit — that is, we need what they provide (1 Peter 2:2-3). How “steadfastly” have you “continued” in the apostle’s doctrine over the last year (Acts 2:42)? I know that teachers and students can be boring, but we need to work at being interested and interesting participants in our Bible classes. We need to be those who search the scriptures, rather than those who have others search the scriptures for us (Acts 17:11)!

The third is attendance at “optional services.” The person who makes a big distinction between “required” services (Sunday morning worship service) and “optional services” (Sunday evenings, Wednesday evenings, gospel meetings, Bible classes, singings, etc.) is demonstrating that they are not doing all they can in the Lord’s service. Paul wrote, “Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more” (1 Thessalonians 4:1). When we have these assemblies, we spend a significant amount of time and energy trying to interest non-Christians in attending. Should we expect them to have more interest than we do? Think about the words to the song, “I gave my life for thee, what has thou given for Me?”

Matters like the ones listed above certainly do not constitute the sum total of service to the Lord, but they are not unimportant (Luke 16:10). The important point is not just to change the signs, but the things of which they are supposed to be signs! In any matter that pertains to the Lord’s work, let’s work our hardest to “sow bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6).

Kyle Campbell