Serving one another is not an option, it’s a command. Paul said that “You were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love” Galatians 5:13 (NIV). Unfortunately, we live in a culture that likes to be served, rather than serve.

This is week two of our “One Another” series. (You can read last week’s blog on encouragement here.) We believe that God designed us to need one another…to live in connection, not isolation.

The local church is only as healthy as it’s “one anothers!”

LET’S TALK…

So what’s the one secret? Here it is—to truly “serve one another” we must be servants. Jesus said that if you want to be great in God’s kingdom, you need to be a servant of all (Matthew 20:16ff). We are to have the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus, who emptied himself and became a servant (Philippians 4: 10-11).

So how do I know if I’m truly a servant? Here are three clues to consider.

1. Am I looking for ways to serve? A servant doesn’t have to be asked, they seek out ways to help. To be a servant literally means, “A person in service of another.” That’s who we are! The Bible is clear that we are saved, not to sit, but to serve! A servant serves!
2. Where am I serving right now?  If you are a servant, you are no doubt serving! Serving isn’t seasonal.  The Bible says that we have God-given gifts to be servants. It’s our nature to serve! Peter writes: “God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another.” 1 Peter 4:10 (NLT).
3. How do I respond when others treat me like a servant? We may bristle at the call to serve. After all, we don’t want to be taken advantage of. But this isn’t a problem if you are truly a servant. You don’t have to be first or second, in fact, a servant is willing to be last.

BEFORE YOU GO…

If we’re honest, we all have rational explanations for why we aren’t serving: we don’t have time, we don’t know what to do, we don’t feel gifted. But the reality is that God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called. Scripture is full of examples of ill-equipped, flawed, social-misfits that God used to further His kingdom because of their obedience. His desire is to use us too. Most of all, pray that God would change our hearts and lives from “merely serving” to being a true servant!