Saved To Serve

Serving God and others is something that unbelievers do not do. When they seem to serve, they do it for wrong and selfish reasons. They do it for the admiration of others and so they can admire themselves (pride). Serving is also something that the flesh of believers does not want to do. Serving unselfishly is the result of a right relationship with God. When we receive Christ, we receive a new Master.

Isaiah 41:8: But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend. 9 Thou whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called thee from the chief men thereof, and said unto thee, Thou art my servant; I have chosen thee, and not cast thee away. 10 Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.

Notice who it is that needs not to fear or be dismayed: the servants of God. They are also the ones that God will strengthen, help and uphold. If men are not the servants of God, they SHOULD BE afraid and dismayed. Neither will God strengthen, help and uphold them.

1 Thessalonians 1:9: For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God;

Matthew 20:28: Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

The word minister means servant. When I trusted Christ I knew that He had some ministry He wanted me to fulfill. When I learned that word minister meant servant, my flesh did not like it. But I have learned that when I am serving Him or others, I am somehow more alive. I have peace and satisfaction that were impossible for me before. When I am serving, I am right with my Creator and doing what He created me to do. When we have Him living in our hearts, we CAN serve unselfishly out of a pure heart, something we could not do without Him. This article was written by Charles Haddon Spurgeon:

If we have received the grace of God in our hearts, its practical effect has been to make us God*s servants. We may be unfaithful servants, we certainly are unprofitable ones, but yet, blessed be His name, we are His servants, wearing His livery, feeding at His table, and obeying His commands. We were once the servants of sin, but He who made us free has now taken us into His family and taught us obedience to His will. We do not serve our Master perfectly, but we would if we could. As we hear God*s voice saying unto us, *Thou art My servant,* we can answer with David, *I am thy servant; Thou hast loosed my bonds.* But the Lord calls us not only His servants, but His chosen ones-*I have chosen thee.* We have not chosen Him first, but He hath chosen us. If we be God*s servants, we were not always so; to sovereign grace the change must be ascribed. The eye of sovereignty singled us out, and the voice of unchanging grace declared, *I have loved thee with an everlasting love.* Long ere time began or space was created God had written upon His heart the names of His elect people, had predestinated them to be conformed unto the image of His Son, and ordained them heirs of all the fulness of His love, His grace, and His glory. What comfort is here! Has the Lord loved us so long, and will He yet cast us away? He knew how stiffnecked we should be, He understood that our hearts were evil, and yet He made the choice. Ah! our Saviour is no fickle lover. He doth not feel enchanted for awhile with some gleams of beauty from His church*s eye, and then afterwards cast her off because of her unfaithfulness. Nay, He married her in old eternity; and it is written of Jehovah, *He hateth putting away.* The eternal choice is a bond upon our gratitude and upon His faithfulness which neither can disown.

Serving self causes leanness in your soul.

Psalms 106:13: They soon forgat his works; they waited not for his counsel: 14 But lusted exceedingly in the wilderness, and tempted God in the desert. 15 And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul.

So who are you serving, yourself or God? Prove this truth for yourself, do something for the Lord.

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