Why do we serve?

What is serving all about?

That’s a difficult question.  Below are three answers.  I believe each is correct.  You might ask how that can be.  Well, God is not limited to the laws established in this world.  With Him there can be multiple answers to the same question that are equally correct.  Its because He’s God.  Read further and see if you agree.

Serving is about God.  We serve because He has gifted and called us to serve.  He has equipped us to be His hands and feet to the world and to the body for His glory.  It is for His glory that we serve.  Anything we do in His service should ultimately be so that He will be glorified.  Think about it…there a lot of people doing a lot of good things in this world that look a lot like what we do in the Church.  They meet needs when life gets tough or when disaster strikes.  But, they don’t do it for God’s glory.  What sets our service apart from theirs is the glory of God.  Serving is about God.

Serving is about the Church.  1 Corinthians 12:7 tells us that spiritual gifts are for the common good.  We serve in obedience to God for the benefit of the body of Christ, His Church.  Sometimes we forget what a big deal that is.  In Acts 2 we see how God brought many to faith as they witnessed the Christians serving one another and proclaiming the Gospel.  Serving one another is a form of preaching the Gospel.  Serving is about the Church.

Serving is about us.  Wait!  How can serving be about me if I’m the one performing the service?  Serving is about the servant because it is about discipleship.  Just like exercise makes the body stronger, serving makes the spirit stronger.  If I am to be a follower of Christ, I must not only know about Him from Scripture, but also take action based on what I learn and what I see in His life.  If there’s one thing a Christian should be selfish about it is to strive to hear “Well done good and faithful servant” on that day we stand before our King.  Serving is about us.

Only with God can each of these be true.  But that’s just how great He is!

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