Surely I had already written a few lines on this blog before, using the famous expression, “who does not live to serve, does not serve to live.”
Today, once again in my daily Bible study, I stumbled across one of those verses that leave you wondering for a while, and you don’t know what to learn from them.
But suddenly the light came to me, it was about Christian service.
From these verses, I was able to draw valuable lessons applicable to my life.
I hope they apply to yours as well.
I invite you to read the verses with me:
Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.
Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.
Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.
(…) there is no favoritism with {God} (…).
| Ephesians 6:5-9
The reason it took me a bit of trouble to find what to learn from these verses, is that they touch on a very sensitive subject such as slavery, without condemning it.
However, when I decided to put aside the peculiarity of the slavery issue, and my biases regarding it, I found the message that the apostle is trying to convene to be positive and uplifting.
In a world of injustice, even when we are in unfavorable conditions, let us try to be part of the change.
By changing ourselves, we change the world.
In a world of injustice, let’s do our best.
Let’s do good because it pleases God.
Continuing our focus on the topic of Christian service, I would like to make seven observations on today’s scripture, which teach us valuable lessons on the subject.
#1 Human hierarchies are earthly
When it comes to serving, it is natural for human beings to aspire to higher hierarchical positions.
However, this should not be a reason for us to feel dissatisfied and frustrated with our position of service.
Even when Paul wrote advice to the slaves in the Ephesian church, he made it clear that their masters were earthly masters.
Although they were slaves on this earth, they were actually free in the spirit.
This teaches us a valuable lesson, the lesson that hierarchical positions on earth are irrelevant to God.
When we serve, let us consider that whatever our hierarchical position, what matters to God is our faithfulness in service.
Even, it is evident that hierarchical position doesn’t always mean influence, and that God can use for great things even those who occupy the lowest hierarchical spheres.
#2 Serve with sincerity of heart
The apostle also tells the brothers to serve with sincerity of heart.
This is that they try to do it with integrity.
Our attitude should be the same as if we are serving Christ.
When we serve, regardless of our position or task, let us not be discouraged by what surrounds us, let us do it with love.
Let’s look at the sky and see the satisfied face of Jesus, since we are doing things for him.
Let’s not serve trying to attract attention.
As human beings, we are prone to want the approval of others and to seek their admiration.
This is why we can often see ourselves advertising or communicating our good deeds in order to get noticed by others.
However, the apostle advises the brethren, and us, that when we serve, we should not do it so that others see us, but regardless of whether others notice it or not, we should do it with sincerity and love.
#3 Do not serve to earn favoritism
Another potential danger around Christian service is that we may seek to serve as a means of earning favor with other people, rather than as an expression of love.
The apostle says to serve sincerely, without seeking the attention of others.
Without seeking to be noticed to earn human favor.
On the contrary, when we serve, let us do so by putting our eyes on heaven, thinking that we are serving our God.
#4 Serve by doing God’s will
As in everything we do, when it comes to serving, we should consider God’s will.
Given the opportunity to serve, we must do so wholeheartedly for God.
Not putting our eyes on ourselves and our interests, but on Jesus.
Ask God that in every opportunity of service, we remember that it is him we serve, not just others, not ourselves.
#5 Trust in God’s justice
The apostle invites us to serve willingly, without looking at men, but trusting that by doing it with love, we do it for God.
That even though people are not fair to us, God sees our efforts.
We may not see the fruits of our sincere service on this earth, we may not be recognized, our acts of service may not be appreciated, but God does recognize and appreciate them.
Let us not let discouragement take hold of us, but rather let us remember that God will reward us.
#6 With God, there is no favoritism
The next thing the apostle reminds us is that with God there is no favoritism.
Even when on this earth, other people enjoy greater benefits than we do, even if it seems unfair to us.
As could be the case with masters and slaves in Paul’s time, for God there are neither slaves nor free, since we are all one in Him.
Do not be dazzled by the positions of others or envy them.
Do not be discouraged because your position does not seem relevant, although humanly we perceive it that way, for God, we are all equal.
All positions are important.
Conclusion
Serving is one of the most beautiful privileges we have in life, but it can also be challenging in many cases.
An internal struggle with the self.
But if we take our eyes off ourselves, and put them on the sky, then we can see things in an eternal perspective.
We can do it with love, for God, and find satisfaction and joy in Christian service.
What do you think? Let us know if these tips have helped you. Share in the comments.
A hug, God bless you.
