A degree in serving?

 

A family that lived in Asia and is now in our church is demonstrating that being a servant requires more than mere training. The youngest in this family is nine. She has an older brother and sister. All three of them notice needs and are quick to meet them. If my tea is beyond my reach, one of them quickly spots this and moves it closer. The three of them will empty full garbage cans, hold doors open, and fetch shoes, and so on, without being told.

Their parents set the example of how to love people but this is not from mere lessons in how to do it. This family knows and loves Jesus. They have been persecuted for their faith, which only made it stronger. They know where their virtues and this desire to serve comes from:

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the (child) of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16–17)

This verse could begin: God speaks and teaches through His written Word . . . for His Spirit is obvious in this family as the source of their servant hearts. They do God’s work God’s way because their hearts are spiritually transformed. They serve not out of duty or any sense of “I should” but automatic, a reflection of the Lord’s image being created in their lives.

MacArthur points out that the Word of God equips us and changes us from selfish sinners to selfless servants. To see it in children is rare. For most of us, it takes time and diligent cooperation with the Lord.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (Joshua 1:8)

I became a Christian as an adult who was thoroughly conformed to this world. After years of reading Scripture, thinking about it, trying to obey it, I still battle with the idea that my life belongs to God and He wants me to serve others. Serving me comes easier, yet meeting a nine-year-old servant of Jesus is a strong rebuke and a powerful motivation to be transformed!

Spiritual success is spelled out in the NT as being a servant. Jesus said it first as did the other disciples:

You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many. (Matthew 20:25–28)

Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. (Romans 12:11)

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (Galatians 5:13)

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:10-11)

If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. (1 Timothy 4:6)

Of course being a servant isn’t like a nine-to-five job, nor is it merely conforming to what the Bible says we should do. Our calling and gifts vary, but servanthood is a matter of the heart, of loving the Lord and loving people. Service flows from that heart attitude. Learning the principles of spiritual ministry is important, but without a transformation in the heart, serving others will not reflect how Jesus served. I would not be so aware of the difference had it not been demonstrated by a young child.

PRAY: Jesus, seeing You at work in this family challenges me to do what You ask from my heart, from the work You have done there, not from a to-do list, or the expectations of others, or my own ideas. Spontaneous and with love, never violating Scripture because genuine serving is simply obedience to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Thank You for a greater glimpse of You in the life of someone who is child-like but certainly not childish.

PONDER: Note how Philippians 1:12–18 describes serving out of selfishness. Instead of judging those who did it, what does Paul’s reaction say about his heart?