Articles
Serving Others In 2024
One of the many benefits of daily Bible reading is that we are constantly reminded that God is concerned with how we think about others and how we treat them. Our attitudes and relationships must be governed by love and service. The apostle Paul wrote, “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge in the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love. For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: Love your neighbor as yourself” (Galatians 5:13-14). Humbly serving others in love is what God expects from His children and He has provided the perfect example.
The apostle Peter summed up the life of Jesus in a few words to Cornelius. Peter said, “he went around doing good” (Acts 10:38). Jesus provides the perfect example of what serving others looks like. Consider the many healings that Jesus performed. Jesus healed others to demonstrate that He was the Son of God. But these healings were not robotic exercises. They were demonstrations of goodness that flowed from a heart of compassion (Matt. 14:14). Life for those afflicted by unclean spirits, leprosy, and paralysis was extremely difficult. Jesus served these people by alleviating their pain. We cannot heal people the way Jesus did, but we can follow His example of compassion. Serving others includes deep affection, self-sacrificing tenderness, genuine sympathy, a readiness to render assistance, spontaneous giving, and a yearning to promote the welfare of others. All of these things were present in the heart of our Teacher and they should be utilized by His students.
Jesus modeled service to others and He taught His followers to serve. Disciples of Jesus are not to demand service from others—they are to be servants like their Teacher. Jesus said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as ransom for many” (Matt. 20:25-28). Servant and slave are words that most people have an aversion to. Jesus instructs His disciples to embrace these words.
How can I serve someone today? Let’s make that a daily question we think about and act on. We are instructed to do this and we have the greatest example. Imagine a local church where everyone models Jesus. We count others more significant than self. We look to the interests of others. We serve one another through love. This should be more than something we imagine—this should be reality. Let’s make this our goal and strive to be a servant of others in 2024.
