Who Will We Serve

Who Will We Serve

Matthew 6:24 NIV 
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other,

or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other

I feel it is important to be reminded on a regular basis about the reasons why Followers of Jesus need to serve God and others. The tendency we have as humans is to be self-centered and put our own interests and needs first. Yet, the Bible tells us to go as far as putting the needs of others ahead of ourselves. Many Christians take this principle to heart and apply it to the Church but, we must also be apply this principle to our homes, families and work places as well.

Here is the principle:

Philippians 2:3 New International Version (NIV) 

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,

The most important reason Christians serve is out of love and gratitude for God saving them from the consequences of living a spiritually dead life. Not only has life been breathed back into those who receive Jesus as their Lord and Savior, but they have received great promises which includes eternal life in the kingdom of God.

For followers of Jesus there is an order and priority to love that needs to be at the forefront of everything they do. This is the order: God first, others second, “me” third. If you think about what Jesus said about the 2 greatest commandments, then this order makes a whole lot of sense.

Here is what Jesus said:

 

Mark 12:30-31 New International Version 1984 

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.  There is no commandment greater than these.”

So while Christians serve and live out a life set apart to God they must always consider putting the needs of others ahead of themselves. Jesus was an example of a servant leader and it is His character they must emulate. If Christians only serve in such a way that benefits their own personal desires, what kind of example are they setting for the Body of Christ? Christians are to edify the body of Christ with their spiritual gifts and talents. They should never knowing attempt use the gifts and talents to exalt themselves over the one true God. 

Here are some principles with Bible verses that we should all take to heart:

·        1. As a follower of Christ one must understand and demonstrate the true meaning of Love

1 John 4:19 New International Version (NIV) 

We love because he first loved us.

John 15:13 New International Version (NIV) 

Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.

Romans 5:8 New International Version (NIV) 

But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

1 Corinthians 13:4-5 New International Version 1984 

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

·        2. As a follower of Christ one must meditate on and apply God’s principles and commands, as well as striving to live spirit filled lives.

1 John 5:2-3 New International Version (NIV) 

This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. And his commands are not burdensome

Philippians 4:8 New Living Translation  

And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.

Galatians 5;22-23 New International Reader’s Version   (NIRV)

But the fruit the Holy Spirit produces is love, joy and peace. It is being patient, kind and good. It is being faithful and gentle and having control of oneself.

·        3. As a follower of Christ one must treat others as they would want to be treated

Matthew 7:12 ESV 

So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

Luke 6:31 New International Version 1984 

Do to others as you would have them do to you.

Ephesians 4:32 ESV 

Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

John 13:35 New International Version (NIV) 

By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.

There are many more verses that would be helpful, so that those of us who are followers of Jesus, can regularly be reminded on how we can live out our Christ-likeness.  For the life of a follower of Jesus should include love, truth and Christ-like character. Even more so, we should pray for God’s assistance and perspective in how we can live a life set apart to God in service. If we are truly looking for a purpose filled life, God alone has the way to fulfill that heartfelt desire.

In order for a Christian to be effective in their mission to share the Gospel message, they need to reflect the new self, demonstrating that they are a new creation in Christ. Modeling Christ-likeness along with deep compassion, love and forgiveness toward others is an indication of the power of God to change lives.

The Bible tells us that true followers of Jesus not only are this new creation but they are to replace the old self with the new character God reproduced in them through the sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit.  

2 Corinthians 5:16-17 New International Version 1984  

So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Ephesians 4:22-24 New International Version 1984 

You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.

What God desires for Christians is for them to be like His Son, Jesus. When they look in the mirror they need to ask themselves, who and what are they reflecting? Are they God-centered or self-centered? Do they reflect the old self or the new creation in Christ?

The question we should all ask ourselves is this:

Who will we serve?

My prayer is that we will all serve the Lord.

Just Sayin………………….Dave