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Introduction

When studying service, it is important to remember that our service does not earn us salvation. Eternal life comes only as a grace gift from our Lord through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is by faith alone in the work of Christ that we receive the gift of salvation.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Ephesians 2:8–9

It is also important to remember that our Lord created us for the purpose of good works. We are not saved to serve ourselves, neither are we saved to just sit back and enjoy thinking about eternity. We are saved with the Lord’s intention that we serve Him through serving others in the Body of Christ. Good works is His divine plan and purpose for us.

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10

How do we walk in good works? We are neither strong nor humble enough in our own selves. We must serve and perform our good works in the same way we receive salvation—by grace and through faith. By grace through faith means that we depend on the Lord for our very life and existence. The fact that we are spiritually and physically able to serve is a gift from God. We must never forget that it is He who enables us for the task! For the Father is not pleased with what we do in ourselves, but what we do through Him.

“As you have received Christ Jesus the Lord [by grace, through faith], so walk in Him.” Colossians 2:6

John 3:16 tells us that God, the Heavenly Father, sent His one and only Son into this world to die for you and me. It was out of His love for the world, and every soul in it, that Jesus came. Love is the greatest motivator in the world. Our service to God should be an overflow of our love for Him and what He has done for us. We do not serve to be blessed; we are already blessed with all spiritual blessings (Eph. 1:3). We do not serve to find favor with God. He is pleased with us because we are in Christ. When we daily recall the wonderful riches God has given us in Jesus Christ, the result is a heart ready to serve others in love. We reflect our love for God by showing love to others!

“Let us show gratitude, by which we may offer to God an acceptable service with reverence and awe.” Hebrews 12:28b

In all things, Jesus Christ is our example to follow. We should desire to be like Him, to reflect Him in all areas of our life. He is our example of forgiveness, discipline, love, strength, compassion, and truth! He is also our example of sacrificial service. Isn’t it awesome to think that the Creator and the Sustainer of the entire universe came to this world as a humble servant? He came to serve the very ones He created!

“Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28

When Jesus Christ stooped down and girded Himself to wash the disciple’s feet, He was teaching His disciples—and us—to follow in His humble example of service to others.

“If I then, the Lord and the Teacher, washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet. For I gave you an example that you should do as I did to you.” John 13:14–15

We must remember that Christ’s service here on Earth was not limited to foot washing. He was constantly caring for the physical and spiritual needs of others, constantly ministering, and expressing love to those around Him. Let us diligently follow His example! If the most important person in our life is self, then we will find it difficult and burdensome to serve God and care for others. But Jesus Christ asks us not to live for self. Instead, He asks us to daily die to self and be made alive in Him. Therefore, to be an effective servant, we must  daily die to our own needs and desires and live in service to the One who died for us. The Apostle Paul calls this “our reasonable service of worship.”

“I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual [or reasonable] service of worship.” Romans 12:1

Everywhere in the world you find that women desire to be beautiful. It is a nice thing to look attractive for our husbands and family. However, God is not impressed with the outward beauty of a woman. Rather, He is looking to develop in her an inner beauty that adorns her life, her person, and her ministry. This is the kind of inner beauty that shines through even when the hair turns gray, the face becomes wrinkled, and the form is stooped. Timothy tells us that this inner beauty is what we as women should strive for, and it is found not in cosmetics and clothes, but in our good works. It is our love and service to Christ that makes us beautiful from the inside out and adorns our life.

“Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, but rather by means of good works, as proper for women making a claim to godliness.” 1 Timothy 2:9–10



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