Serving others is a response to the grace that we have received from God.
Serving others above ourselves goes against natural human nature and is rarely our first inclination. However, the Bible teaches extensively about serving others, emphasizing that serving is a crucial part of the Christian life. Here are some key teachings on serving found throughout the Bible.
Serving is:
Serving is a hallmark of discipleship.
In the book of Mark, Jesus says, “…whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.” (Mark 10:43-44). Jesus is teaching that serving others is not just an option for His followers; it’s an essential part of what it means to be a disciple.
01
Serving is an act of love.
Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13) Jesus is demonstrating that serving others is an act of sacrificial love, which He will soon model by His own sacrifice on the cross.
02
Serving is a means to greatness.
Jesus taught, “But many who are first will be last, and the last first.” (Mark 10:31) This statement means that serving others is not only a way to express love, but it’s also a way to achieve greatness in God’s kingdom.
03
Serving is a response to God’s grace.
“Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.” (1 Peter 4:10-11). The disciple, Peter is saying that serving others is a way to use the gifts we have received from the grace of God to serve others and Him.
04
The Bible teaches that serving others can be a way to share the gospel and lead people to Christ.
The Bible teaches that serving others is a crucial part of the Christian life. It’s a way to express love, honor God, demonstrate humility, and share the gospel. As followers of Christ, we should seek to serve those around us with a loving and humble heart, ultimately seeking to honor and glorify God in all that we do.