Imagine this: Two dishes with the the same meal is placed before you. In one plate, there is grease, perhaps, from one of the meals, and crumbs scattered all over the plate. The protein in the dish does not look properly cooked and you can almost taste the rawness just by looking at it. While the other dish is served on a clean plate–no grease, every class of food properly served on the plate, and it looks appealing.
There is no question about the dish you would prefer to eat. The same goes for offering what is acceptable unto God.
Serving God has a much wider application to all aspects of your life, in how you relate to others and how you find yourself within the world. We can find the best way to serve God in the teachings of Jesus Christ and its applications for our own lives.
What Does It Mean to Serve God?
Firstly, we have to understand what it means to serve God, because God doesn’t need anything. God is all-powerful, we call on him during our times of need, not the other way around. However, God calls us to His service by supplying us with grace, talent and passion so that we may better accomplish His purposes in the world.
The greatest example of this comes from the life of Jesus, who was the manifestation of God’s saving love in the world. Jesus spent his life in service to others, but most especially those in need—the poor, the sick, the ostracized and anyone who would be neglected by society.
Mark 10:45 reads,
“For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
To serve God, then, is to follow the example of Jesus’ life and earthly ministry to serve others. It is through service that we can truly express our love for God, for His creation and for one another. (Matthew 25:35–40)
What Does it Take to Serve?
- A Willing mind:
You must be willing, not coerced or grudgingly, to serve God. This is what God accepts. 2 Cor.8:12- 12 reads, “For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.”
A willing mind is one that is surrendered to Jesus. One that decides, against all odds, to serve the Lord. (1 Cor.9:17)
- A Joyful Heart:
A sad truth is, if your service lacks joy, you are bound to get frustrated easily. The joy of the Lord produces strength to the one who is commited to serving God. It is a joyful heart that stays in service even when the storm of life hits.
2 Cor.9:7-8 reads, Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work.”
- Sincerity and Genuineness
Your service is only acceptable when it is from a sincere heart. The genuineness of your heart counts more than any achievement acquired in service. God sees the heart and He admires one without guile. (1 Sam 16:7)
In Scripture, we see how Amaziah’s deeds were weighed, it says he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, but not wholeheartedly. (2 Chron.25-26) While many may applaud you for the mighty works done through you, it is important to remember that God accepts a service done wholeheartedly.
- Sacrifice and Tirelessness
Rom.12:1- 12 urges us, in view of God’s mercy, to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is our true and proper worship. The life of a Christian is a response to sacrifice and self-denial, daily. While God equips us with strength for the work ahead, His work requires us to get out of our comfort zones and a relentless resilience even in the face of challenges. (Gal. 6:7)
Benefits of Serving God Acceptably
You must know this, your service in God’s kingdom is not in vain. We are encouraged in 2 Cor.15:58: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”
The Israelites were promised a constant blessing-on food and water, on good health, and protection–if they served God faithfully (Exodus 23:25). That promise still stands true to this day. God sustains those who worship and serve Him truthfully. He provides and protects.
He covers and insures spiritually for eternity, those who serve Him truthfully and faithfully.
Today, make a conscious decision to offer God acceptable service without grudge and with all your heart.
- Thoughts of God