Spirit of Service: What’s Really the Problem?

Have you ever heard a non-Christian say,

“I have no problem with God or Jesus — only Christians”?

It’s actually a common theme among some nonbelievers. Unfortunately, it’s also becoming more and more common among Christians.

This worries me. How can we serve our communities with Christ-centered joy if we can’t serve each other in the same manner?

Let’s be real. The question I’m raising can’t be resolved in this one small message. But I am asking you to think hard about it.

What’s preventing you from living out a Spirit of Service in your work environment or better yet, in your life?

Wess Stafford washes the feet of a Leadership Development Program graduate on stage

Wess Stafford washes the feet of a Leadership Development Program graduate.

Is there a bad experience that you can’t forget, a wrongdoing that you can’t forgive, or a fear of being used, mistreated or disrespected?

We all have our baggage, but the great thing about being a believer in Christ is that we have a “safe place” to unload it — the Cross.

If you’re struggling with this concept, I encourage you to consider the following three steps:

  1. Meditate on the Bible, particularly on the verses that deal with service.
  2. Pray for God to reveal His plan for how you should deal with this concept.
  3. Re-examine the way you treat those around you. Are you respecting your co-workers, friends, family, etc.?

It may sound simple, but in order to have a true Spirit of Service, you have to have a spirit of love — and that can come only from God.

“You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.” — Galatians 5:13, NIV

4 Comments |Add a comment

  1. Catherine September 26, 2011

    This is so true! I John 2:7-11 makes it clear that we cannot say we love God if we do not love our brother and I John 3:18 tells us this love should be with ‘deeds’ and not merely ‘words’.

  2. Debra Martin September 25, 2011

    I was truly moved by this act of humility by Wess Stafford what an awesome demonstration of “Love’…God Bless you!!!

  3. Brittney September 24, 2011

    I don’t believe that this problem is with Chrisitans, but with people who have their parents’ or grandparents’ faith and not thier own. As Christians, we get this bad reputation because when people grow up in homes that believe in God or that go to church they call themselves Christians without living a Christ-like life.

  4. Pastor: Santos Pineda September 24, 2011

    Que alegria ser parte de esta vision de proclamar la gran comision de Jesucristo dirigida a los niños con el obgetivo del desarollo integral del niño. Bendciones

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