Copyright by Shea Oakley<\/p>\n
All rights reserved<\/p>\n
\u201cService\u201d is a dirty word for some of us. We hear it and immediately react in a negative way. This is most often for two reasons.<\/p>\n
The first is because in our past people about whom we cared and\/or upon whom we were dependent granted us love that was, to whatever degree, conditional. They would love us fully only if we did something that benefited them in some way. This is the very definition of conditional love. Receiving it is contingent on us, not on the other person. Many of us have been victims of this love that really is not love at all and its result is a sense that we have to earn the love we need through serving others.<\/p>\n
The second reason has nothing to do with being a victim. It is a function of our own inherent inclination to make self-centered decisions. The degree to which our nature is fallen is perhaps best manifested by this tendency. We are selfish. The one we most want to serve is the one looking back at us in the mirror. Even as Christians the idea of service is often either not present or it is present but tainted by the underlying desire to serve for our own gain.<\/p>\n
These two motivations are always present to some degree in our hearts. Both must be overcome if we hope to be freed from a caricature of servant-mindedness in order to embrace the kind of good and true servant-mindedness embodied by Jesus Christ.<\/p>\n
The Son of God was and is the true Servant. He also helps others for two reasons, but for two very different ones. Jesus serves us because He knows and loves His Father and is known and loved by His Father. Both these loves are perfect, and thus real and unconditional. Jesus is one with the Father and the Father is the only being in the universe whose love is inexhaustible. He does not need us to love Him. Unlike human beings He is self-sufficient in every way and therefore He does not love us to gain something from us like those in our past. He also is not self-centered as we are. He is other-centered by divine nature.<\/p>\n
Jesus has been described as \u201ca Man for others\u201d. This is because, being one with the Father, He perfectly reflects His Father\u2019s heart. Our Lord loves us because he genuinely has our best interests in heart. He is overflowing with infinite love and He desires to serve us because it brings Him joy to bless the only creation He has made in His own image. There is no ulterior, self-centered motive. God is not capable of deceit and He is not needful of anything we could possibly give Him. This completely eliminates ulterior and self-centered motives. He loves and serves us only because He wants to.<\/p>\n
So then how do we, as biblical Christians, come to serve like God does? We can only do so by choosing to identify ourselves with the One who embodies Him in human form and to whom we now belong. As we choose to draw near to Jesus and sit, like Mary, at His feet. We will begin to reflect His nature. Then we will naturally act according to this new nature. Now, when we metaphorically look in the mirror, we will begin to see not our old self but the image of Christ. Part of this transformation will include the dawning of a new desire to serve others, a desire that is based on a real love for people and a humble and sincere desire to seek their good, the same motivation that moves the One we are emulating by the power of the Holy Spirit.<\/p>\n
Then the word \u201cservice\u201d will take on a new and blessed meaning, one which we will truly desire to embrace and live out.<\/p>\n
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Copyright by Shea Oakley All rights reserved \u201cService\u201d is a dirty word for some of us. We hear it and immediately react in a negative way. This is most often for two reasons. The first is because in our past people about whom we cared and\/or upon whom we were dependent granted us love that… <\/p>\n