The Bible makes it clear that serving is an important part of every Christian’s life. Serving begins with a heart of humility and obedience and continues on to being both an expression of love and service to God and others. As Christians, we are called to serve joyfully, humbly and with dedication.
In the New Testament, Jesus himself speaks at length about the importance of service. Jesus said in Matthew 20:26-28 that “…whosoever will be great among you, shall be your servant: and whosoever of you will be first shall be servant of all”. In Mark 10:45 Jesus explained further that “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve and to give his life a ransom for many”.
The Apostle Paul often encourages the church to show a servant’s heart. In Galatians 5:15, he explains that “If you morning true love, you will be glad of the opportunity to be a servant”. In Ephesians 4:1, Paul reminds us to “Walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you’ve been called, with all humility, gentleness, and patience”. Here, he encourages us to not only serve in a sacrificial way, but to do it with a spirit of humility.
James 1:27 says “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” Not only are we called to serve others, but to serve the most vulnerable. We are called to help those who are most in need, providing for their needs and showing them God’s love.
There are many opportunities to serve and no matter where you are on your Christian journey you can show God’s love through your actions. This can be as simple as helping an elderly person cross the street, providing a meal to a friend in need, or volunteering at a local ministry. Serving can look different in different places, but it requires a humble, giving spirit.
Serving isn’t just a requirement of Christianity, it is a blessing. As Christians, when we serve others, we are drawing closer to God. We learn more about His love and find joy in the completion of our service. As Christians, we are to be an example of selfless service to those around us.
Serving and Showing Love
The Bible is full of examples of God showing love to others through serving. Jesus washed his disciples’ feet and served them in ways that showed His immense love for them. Throughout His life, Jesus rather than simply instructing people, He met their needs and displayed God’s love for them in tangible ways.
The Bible is also full of instructions to us about showing love to others. In John 15:12, Jesus said “love each other as I have loved you.” In 1 Corinthians, chapter 13, Paul explains that love is patient, kind, and speaks the truth. Jesus, in His earthly ministry and in His resurrection, gave us the perfect example of loving others through serving.
Christians should seek to serve as Jesus did. Whether you choose to serve your family, your friends, your neighbours, or complete strangers, we should seek to do so out of a place of love. This is what the Bible calls us do. When we serve, it is an outward expression of our love for those we serve.
Fighting Selfishness Through Service
The Bible also speaks about how Christians should fight against the temptation of selfishness. Every day, we face a tug of war between selfishness and selflessness. We are constantly tempted to put ourselves first, but the Bible reminds us to put our desires aside in order to serve others. Galatians 5:13 encourages us to “serve one another humbly in love”.
Selfishness is an enemy of God’s work. James 4:17 tells us that “Whoever knows what is right to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.” We must be careful not to prioritize our own wants and desires over that of serving others. Another Bible verse to keep in mind is Philippians 2:3 which explains “In humility, value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.”
Serving requires a commitment to sacrifice our own time and resources. By doing so, we are able to help serve those in need in a selfless way and to honour God. We must make the conscious decision to put others before ourselves. In this way, by serving, we are able to increase the level of God’s love throughout the world.
Serving Out of Obedience
Obedience is another essential element of serving. In Mark 12:30, Jesus said “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” Serving God is a reminder of His love for us and how we are to serve Him in return.
We can do this by valuing the gifts God has given us. We should thank Him by honouring the gifts He has blessed us with, so that we can use them to help others. Obedience to God’s commands is how He tests us and shows us where our hearts truly lie. Colossians 3:23 tells us “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
It is essential that when we serve others, it is for the purpose of pleasing God and not for any other purpose. We are to use the gifts and talents God has given us to bless others. Even the simplest acts of service serve to bring glory to God.
Serving In Community
The Bible also talks about serving as part of a community. Romans 12:4-5 tells us “For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.” When we come together with fellow Christians, we are able to serve and love those we may only otherwise encounter in passing.
Coming together as the church unites us in our service and love for one another. Mark 10:29-30 explains that when we serve in community we bring glory to God “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life.”
When we serve in unity, we are able to accomplish more than if we serve as an individual. Serving together strengthens our relationship with God and with each other. We can encourage, support and bless one another as we work together to serve our community, both in small ways and on a larger scale.
Living a Life of Service
Ultimately, the Bible calls us to live a life of service and to be willing to serve others in any way we can. When we serve, it is essential that we are living out of a heart of love and obedience to God. We must serve others no matter how small or large the act, with a heart of humility and dedication.
Serving God and our neighbours is a blessing and joy that cannot be found in anything else on Earth. When we are living a life of service and love, we are able to show the world the amazing power of God’s love through our actions.
