Steemchurch:The gift of serving

If we spoke of priorities in the work of God, that of serving is one. When places of privilege are offered there are many candidates, but when humility and service are requested; There do not seem to be candidates.

That is why we can say with confidence that the "service department" is the one with the most vacant positions in the church.

We must know that the service is what gives support to all the works of the church, and that all of God's work rests on this priceless gift.

The most outstanding expression of this gift is that manifested by our Lord Jesus Christ in his ministry.

These are his words about this gift in his life: "As the son of man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28).

The service is the highest in the dignity of the gifts.

Although in the scale of values ​​of man, the service is in the lowest; On the scale of how God values ​​things, service is the highest in the dignity of gifts.

Note the words of our Lord to his disciples: "But Jesus, when he had called them, said to them," You know that those who are considered rulers of the nations lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them.

"But it will not be so among you, but whoever wants to become great among you will be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you will be the servant of all" (Mark 10: 42-44).

The example of Christ gives sustenance and strength to the distinguished gift of service.

We can say that we despise the gift of service; it is to despise the same ministry of Christ, and even, to himself.

In our time we are suffering the calamitous consequence of a small spirit that only deals with its own interests.

We must understand that the service that is given with effort and with a humble heart, is the greatest sign of greatness in our world.

This truth, based on the great example of Christ, is strongly reminded by the Apostle Paul:

"There is, then, in you this feeling that there was also in Christ Jesus, the dual, being in the form of God, did not consider being equal to God as a thing to cling to, but he emptied himself, taking the form of a servant , made similar to men; and being in the condition of a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, and death on a cross "(Philippians 2: 5-8).

That service of great humility and deep love of Jesus Christ is what has brought the greatest benefit and wealth to humanity.

The Scripture says about it:

"For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, who became poor through love for you, being rich, so that you would be enriched by his poverty" (2 Corinthians 8: 9).

Let us magnify the work of the Lord with our service; with the gift of service, imitating our Lord and teacher, who said:

"You call me Teacher, and Lord; and you say well because I am. For if I, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also may do as I have done to you "(John 13: 13-15).

On the scale of world values, the service is at the lowest.

This is so because of the vanity and arrogance of the people, who tend to want to be served rather than serve, and who believe that serving others of lower status, downgrades themselves.

Such a philosophy is completely wrong before God; because dignity is not lost by serving others, although the dignity of the services is less than that of the servant.

Those who serve must be fully aware of this truth.

Let's see:

"You call me Teacher, and Lord; and you say well because I am. For if I, the Lord and the Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, so that as I have done to you, you also do. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his master, neither is the envoy greater than he that sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them "(John 13: 13-117).

In this text, where the Lord shows all his humility by washing the feet of his servants, he makes them see that the great humility of his service does not lessen it; he is still his Master and Lord.

The message contained in this text can be paraphrased in this way: "The humility of serving, far from taking away your dignity and lowering yourself; rather, it makes you bigger "

In order for you to better understand this truth, we will expand a little bit more on a text that we referred to earlier:

"Let there be in you this feeling that was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not esteem being equal to God as a thing to cling to, but he emptied himself, taking the form of a servant , made similar to men; and being in the condition of a man, he humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, and death on a cross. "

"... Wherefore God also exalted him to the utmost, and gave him a name that is above every name, that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow down of those who are in heaven, and on earth, and underground; and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord, to the glory of God the Father ... "(Philippians 2: 5-11).