Embracing Christ’s Call
In our walk with Christ, the call to servanthood stands at the heart of the Christian life. Jesus Himself, our perfect example, modeled this with unparalleled humility and dedication. We must understand what it means to be a faithful servant of God and others, allowing Scripture to guide our hearts and actions.
Jesus, during His earthly ministry, made it abundantly clear that greatness in His kingdom is measured by service. He declared, "Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many" (Matt. 20:26-28). This passage underscores the essence of servanthood—it is sacrificial and selfless, mirroring the very nature of Christ.
Furthermore, in Philippians, Paul provides a profound insight into the mind of Christ: "Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men" (Phil. 2:5-7). Jesus willingly relinquished His divine privileges, humbling Himself to serve humanity. This voluntary act of becoming a servant exemplifies the heart we should cultivate—a heart willing to put others before ourselves. This humility, when we embrace it in our service, allows us to truly reflect the character of Christ.
The Apostle Peter also encourages believers to serve one another with humility: "As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God" (1 Pet. 4:10). Every gift and talent we possess is not for personal gain but for the improvement and service of others. Our stewardship of these gifts reflects our obedience to God's calling.
In serving, we must emulate the love that Christ demonstrated. Jesus said, "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another" (John 13:34). Love is the driving force behind genuine service. Without love, our acts of service become hollow and self-serving. True servanthood flows from a heart transformed by the love of Christ, compelling us to serve with pure motives. This love, when we allow it to permeate our service, has the power to transform not only the lives of those we serve, but also our own.
Lastly, we find a powerful reminder in the words of Paul to the Galatians: "For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another" (Gal. 5:13). Our freedom in Christ should lead us to serve others joyfully and willingly, recognizing that in serving others, we are ultimately serving Christ Himself. This service, far from being a burden, brings us joy and fulfillment, as we align our lives with the purpose for which we were created.
The heart of being a servant is rooted in following Christ's example of humility, love, and selflessness. Let us continually seek to serve others with the same enthusiasm and dedication that Christ displayed, glorifying God through our service and reflecting His grace to the world.
