“Beloved ones, God has called us to live a life of freedom in the Holy Spirit. But don’t view this wonderful freedom as an opportunity to set up a base of operations in the natural realm. Freedom means that we become so completely free of self-indulgence that we become servants of one another, expressing love in all we do.” Galatians 5:13 TPT
Living as a servant is something the Bible talks about a lot. But when placed in today’s context is something that most wouldn’t make it their life mission to be like. It sounds much more appealing to have someone else serving us and doing things for us.
But according to the verse above we need to become so free of self-indulgence that we become servants of one another. Self-indulgence is an excessive or unrestrained gratification of one’s own appetites, desires, or
whims.
Servant Hood
Many times servant hood is described in the Bible in a way that Christians should aspire to be like.
“If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.” John 12:26 ESV
“You are to lead by a different model. If you want to be the greatest one, then live as one called to serve others. The path to promotion and prominence comes by having the heart of a bond-slave who serves everyone. For even the Son of Man did not come expecting to be served by everyone, but to serve everyone, and to give his life as the ransom price in exchange for the salvation of many.” Mark 10:43-45 TPT
A bond-slave is someone who voluntarily serves others, a person in a permanent role or service, and considered the property of Jesus, holding no right to leave their place of service.
Now try replacing bond-slave with your name in this sentence…ouch that definitely convicts me!
If you’ve wondered about your calling, like I have many times, this verse shows that our calling is to serve others or everyone.
Compassion
One of God’s character traits talked about numerously in the Bible is his compassion.
“Shout for joy, you heavens; rejoice, you earth; burst into song, you mountains! For the Lord comforts his people and will have compassion on his afflicted ones.” Isaiah 49:13 NIV
“As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.” James 5:11 NIV
“As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him.” Psalm 103:13
“The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.” Psalm 116:5
“The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.” Psalm 145:9
Jesus also walked this earth with compassion for people. Even when he was tired, or wanted to go be by himself and talk to his Father, or was on mission to go to another place where he needed to be, he still always made time for those around him, healing them and feeding them out of his compassion. Never letting his desires (being tired, wanting to spend alone time with the Father, doing the Father’s work) get in the way of what the people around him so desperately needed.
“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew 9:35-36 NIV
“When Jesus heard what had happened, he withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place. Hearing of this, the crowds followed him on foot from the towns. When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick.” Matthew 14:13-14 NIV
God’s Eyes
Instead of looking at people through our human eyes let’s choose to look at them through God’s eyes. Not looking at them for their sins or what we don’t like about them.
So what do God’s eyes see in people? Well for one he sent his only son to die for every single person, that’s how important each person is to him.
As we serve and love others lets remember love is not about getting something but giving something. Lets look at what we want FOR people not FROM people.
Because I love lists so much here is a list summarizing how to live selfless in a selfish world
Free yourself of self-indulgence
Become servants of others
Express love in all you do for others through being a servant to them
Become a bond-slave of everyone
Have compassion on others like Jesus did
See people for how God sees them
Look for what you want for people not from people
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