Attain Value In One's Life
"You do not do God a favor by serving Him. He honors you by allowing you to serve Him." - Victor Nyquist
Mark 10:45 says - "For even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
Today, in the world that we live, there is so much emphasis on Self.
Terminology such as Self-Belief, Self-Worth, Self-Esteem, Self-Image, Self-Love, Self-Acceptance, and Self-Actualization have become the new "buzz words" in our culture.
Unfortunately, this thinking has not been contained just in the world itself but has infiltrated most churches as well.
Resultantly, most sermons are geared towards getting the congregation to feel good about themselves or gaining a new sense of personal value and worth.
The Lord Jesus showed us how to attain value in our lives. It is certainly not according to the world's dictates.
Every day, the World seemingly screams out to us their outright message -
"You are #1. Look out for #1."
In all your relationships, be sure to evaluate what is in store for you.
Before entering marriage, determine what your partner is going to contribute to your life, not how you are going to enhance his or her life.
When seeking for a job, check how this job will benefit you, regardless of the fact that the Lord may have a plan to reach others in this particular place for His name's sake.
When searching for a Church, be sure to determine how the Pastor and his flock will meet your needs, rather than how you can contribute and be a blessing unto others."
At first glance, we may ask - what is wrong with the above? In each situation, if all we are concerned about is how others can benefit us, then the action is very self-centered and selfish.
The Scripture says - "For even the Son of Man..." Jesus did not just dictate a principle to us. He demonstrated it to us by way of example. His focus was not on Himself. His focus was outward - toward a lost and dying world. He "came not to be ministered unto, but to minister...to give..."
He could have been concerned with the question - "What is in this for Me?"
He certainly was worthy to receive ministry wherever He went.
Yet, He did not seek ministry for Himself, but He ministered.
Luke 22:27 - The Scriptures tell us that Jesus came among us "as He that serveth."
Philippians 2:7 - He "made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant."
Titus 2:14 - He "gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity."
1 Timothy 2:6 - He "gave Himself a ransom for all."
The world's philosophy - Look out for #1(Self) - is not working.
We have so many people today in our society who are depleted of self-esteem and self-worth
Why?
What has gone wrong?
The Lord Jesus outlined the key to acquiring value in our lives in the above Scripture - Mark 10:45 which says - "For even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many."
If we want value, we must reach out to others.
We must not be concerned about ministry to ourselves but ministry to others.
We must not be so overly concerned about what we can get out of people, but what we can give to people.
This is what Jesus did.
In fact, in Acts 20:35, we read of Jesus' words which coincide with this verse - "It is more blessed to give than to receive." For it is in giving to others that we, in turn, receive fulfillment for ourselves.
In our religious circles, there is so much emphasis on prestige, fame, and prominence. Many are not too concerned about helping people as much as making a name for themselves.
Philippians 2:7 - Jesus "made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant..."
All those who are His true followers will do the same.
I like what Andrew Bonar said about the dignity of Christian service - "Christian service has been dignified by Deity."
Jesus came to dignify the title - "servant."
Richard Sibbes said - "To serve God is to reign."
J. C. Ryle said - "The world's idea of greatness is to rule, but Christian greatness consists in serving."
Vance Havner said - "There are no trivial assignments in the work of the Lord."
Lastly, Victor Nyquist said - "You do not do God a favor by serving Him. He honors you by allowing you to serve Him."
"For even the Son of Man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister..."
Even the Son of man! If Jesus did it, how much more should we?
Like our Master, let's take on the form of a servant today.
No task that He assigns is too menial!
Then in our service to others, we shall realize the true worth and value of our own lives.
May God Bless His Word.
Connie
You can contact Connie through any of the avenues below
Connie Giordano
P. O. Box 383016
Duncanville, TX. 75138-3016
Copyright 2003 by Connie Giordano
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