Base Text: 1 Corinthians 13:1-3
John 15:13: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for
his friends.”
Matthew 20:28: “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to
minister, and to give His life a ransom for many.”
John 3:16: “For God
so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth
on him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
These verses set up our understanding of God’s attitude to
servanthood: Love serves. Without reservation. Jesus gave the ultimate service
to mankind when He gave His life. "And we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.” 1
John 3:16. According to John’s epistle, we perceive the love of God because he
laid down his life for us and we, in turn, should "lay down our lives" for the
brethren. Hmmm.
In 1 Corinthians 13, the apostle details the futility of
acts of service done without love. No matter how greatly we use our gifts, or
how sacrificial our actions, they are of little value without love.
The Greek word used for love in this passage indicates “a
selfless concern for the welfare of others that is not called forth by any
quality of lovableness in the person loved, but is the product of a will to
love in obedience to God’s command.” (Zondervan Study Bible, 2002)
Now this brings us to a great truth. To love and serve
others, we must first love God. Jesus reminds us of the first and great
commandment in Matthew 22:37-40. Our love for God will motivate us to serve
others in love.
First requirement for servanthood:
Love God with all our
heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Second requirement for servanthood:
Love our neighbor as
ourselves.
(This is an excerpt from a Bible Study lesson I recently taught.)
