On Christian Service

How do you determine your commitment to your God? How do you elaborate on ‘giving your best’ to Him?

I came across an article this week on a man named Johnny. Johnny lives a full life, is deeply involved with his local church, works a full time job and has many meaningful relationships. He is also legally blind. Reading about this man got me thinking about the many different ways through which we serve or minister in our lives on a daily basis.

There are many people (myself included) who perceive ‘ministry’ or Christian service to mean something extra-ordinary. I have believed for many years that I am not actively serving God because I have not been on a missions trip in years, or taken part in door to door evangelism, or handed out pamphlets. There are many things which the church attempts to qualify as service or ministry. There are singers, ushers, cleaners, preachers, cooks, childminders, and so on who serve diligently and are considered to be in ‘service’ because of their commitments. However, this can leave others who do not get involved in such activities feeling a bit useless.

Yes, the Bible does tell us in plain terms to serve one another, to grow our gifts within the body of the church. What I speak of here is more the personal day to day service that is often overlooked yet is more important in shaping our hearts towards serving others. What was written about Johnny described his attitude of selflessness, his open heart, his perseverance and consequently, his behaviour. It seems that Johnny is someone who is in active Christian ministry just by being himself.

“He’s taught all of us here at the church so much about endurance, about having a good attitude toward life, taking each day as an adventure,” says Toni Pate, associate pastor of Augusta Road Baptist Church. She also admires Johnny’s knowledge of people, crediting him with helping her get her bearings when she first arrived at the church. “He’s got his own little circle of ministry,” she says.1

It is in my opinion that every choice, decision that we make is an act of service. The very fact that a person commits themselves to following the dictates of the Bible over all else is service because doing so requires sacrifice, humility, faith, and a total dependence on the Holy Spirit. You cannot be dependent on someone you do not trust, and you cannot submit yourself to someone you do not revere. Therefore, the very act of following Christ on a personal level is a form of service, of worship and relationship. A service between you and God.

It is out of this type of service that you then serve others. Johnny could have decided to be bitter about his limited sight, he could have lived his life feeling the world owes him something which often makes people behave in a rude, self-entitled ways towards others. His lifestyle and the testimony that he leaves with people is one that shows you just how committed he is in his personal service to his God. That is why we hear so much importance put on the personal relationship with Jesus rather than on service in the church or in different ministries. Think about it, how can you serve Jesus outwardly without knowing him on a deeper personal level; finding out what he likes/hates, what he wants, what is on his heart.

“But God has brought you into union with Christ Jesus, and God has made Christ to be our wisdom. By him we are put right with God; we become God's holy people and are set free.”   1 Corinthians 1 vs 30*

It seems we as human beings find it easier to relate on this level with other people, sometimes we call it being in love, or being in a committed relationship. It starts on a higher plane, it starts with knowing your Creator and being known by Him. How?

·         Through the grace of Jesus Christ - Ephesians 2 vs 8*

·         Through the power of the Holy Spirit - 2 Timothy 1 vs 14*

·         Through the living Word of God - Hebrews 4 vs 2*

There is no secret formula to being a committed servant of God. The only way is through what He says through His Word. God has not made it difficult to know Him, it is written that even creation itself tells us who He is.

“For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse.”  Romans 1 vs 20*

So, how do you determine your level of commitment to your God? Look at your personal walk with His son Jesus Christ. That, is where you start.