Philippians 2:7:
But made himself [Christ Jesus] of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men.
Though Jesus Christ was the Son of God, he took on the form of a servant. And his service to all of mankind was to die for our salvation.
Verse 8:
And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
And why did he do it?
Hebrews 12:2:
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
As Jesus Christ kept the goal, the joy, of our redemption before his eyes, he was able to pour out his life in service. Jesus Christ left us an example to follow; however, we have not been called to die for God but to give our lives as living sacrifices.
Romans 12:1:
I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
With the knowledge of the rightly divided Word of God, we have something to serve. With the love of God given to us by our heavenly Father at the time of the new birth, we are able to serve. So then the joy set before us as living sacrifices is to simply do it—to serve God’s Word and a knowledge of His Son Jesus Christ to others.
I John 3:16-18:
Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.
But whoso hath this world’s good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him?
My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.
I Peter 1:22:
Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently.
The following verses show us that Jesus taught his followers that in attitude of heart they should be like dedicated, trusted servants who express the highest devotion of those bound by love.
Luke 22:26,27:
...but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve.
For whether is greater, he that sitteth at meat, or he that serveth? is not he that sitteth at meat? but I am among you as he that serveth.
John 13:13-17:
Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.
If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.
For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.
We as believers can devotedly help each other; we can be willing to do whatever task is needed—even the lowliest tasks—in order to help and bless each other.
In the Epistle of I Corinthians, the Apostle Paul wrote by revelation about a household of believers, a fellowship, in Achaia who were devoted to serving one another.
I Corinthians 16:15,16:
I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves [devoted themselves to be of service] to the ministry of the saints,)
That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one that helpeth with us, and laboureth.
The household of Stephanas had been among the first in Corinth to believe the Word that was being taught. For them to be so clearly known, their lives must have made a vivid impact on the rest of God’s people. The household of Stephanas had devoted themselves to a ministry of service to the saints—they made it their habit pattern of life. They arranged their lives so that loving service was a constant privilege they enjoyed.
In verse 16, God’s Word gives a loving exhortation to the faithful: to submit—to follow and to learn from—all those who help and labor toward the common goal of serving God’s Word to others.
As we serve God’s rightly divided Word to others—helping them to know God and His Son Jesus Christ and making available to them God’s love, power, peace, joy—the greatest joy is still ahead.
I Thessalonians 2:19,20:
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
For ye are our glory and joy.
When Jesus Christ returns, we will be spending all eternity with him and with those whom we have won to the Lord. That reward for our service will be joy unspeakable!
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