Service Not Servitude

Service Not Servitude

“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

Serve others? You’ve GOT to be kidding! Friend, I don’t need to tell you that we live in a selfish, self-centered world where 99% of people are trying to get to the front of the line, be the first to be served, and have the best of the best. But what a difference a few letters can make! Consider those two words service and servitude. Most dictionaries usually define servitude as “bondage.” Synonyms include words like slavery, compulsory work, or labor as punishment.  Servitude conjures up images of work from which there’s no escape.

It's amazing that servitude shares the same dictionary page as service. In reality, the meanings of those two words couldn’t be further apart.  Service is everything servitude is not.  Service means “to assist,” “to give aide,” and “to help.” No coercion lies behind those words.  Service implies an authentic willingness to offer help . . . to help simply because help is needed.

In Galatians, the apostle Paul reminds us about our reality as Christ-followers . . . We are free! Free from coercion. Free from guilt and punishment. Free to live as children of our heavenly Father. God demands nothing from us. Jesus already completed what the Father required. Christ willingly suffered and died . . . and in power and glory our Savior rose again! Christ did it all so we could be free.

Before today gets any older, why not take a few quiet moments to reflect on your freedom in Christ. Find comfort in the arms of your heavenly Father as He whispers how precious you really are to Him. Ask the Holy Spirit to protect you from an attitude of servitude and to fill you instead with an eager willingness to serve others with joy and gratitude.

In fact, please pray this prayer with me: Lord, impress on my heart today the reality of the freedom You won for me at Your cross. I’m free! Free! Free, now, to serve You and others in love. In Your name I pray. Amen.

Thanks for reading Pastor Dale’s Mid-Week Encouragement.  It’s not copyrighted so feel free to share it with someone who needs encouragement today. And, if you’re a regular attender of the Mt. Laurel Church of God, please consider reading Psalm 29 to get yourself ready to hear God’s message through Pastor Dale this coming Sunday, January 11, as we worship the King of kings and Lord of lords!

Called to know the Way, go the Way, and show you the Way,

^{Pastor Dale}

Pastor Dale (PD) and Pamela his wife are honored to serve the Mt. Laurel Church of God. If this Mid-Week Encouragement has helped you, perhaps it may encourage someone else. Feel free to share this message with anyone you choose. And if you'd like to receive PD's Mid-Week Encouragement, just send an email to (kingdomguy@gmail.com) and I'll accommodate your request.