Growing in Grace
Paul saw his whole identity as a Christian as summed up in being a serving slave of Jesus Christ.
Most of his epistles begin with a simple statement of introduction: Paul, a slave of Jesus Christ. Our Lord Himself took on the form of a servant being made in the likeness of men. He did not come to be served, but rather to serve and give His life as a ransom for sin.
The word “serve” in the Bible translates a Greek word: diakonia. From this word we get the English transliteration: Deacon.
We also see this word translated many times by the word: ministry. It is a broad term that speaks widely of service and care for others.
As we have been studying the gifts of the spirit we have seen that they fall broadly into two main categories: speaking gifts and serving gifts. Today we look at these serving gifts. Paul mentions four: serving, leading, giving, mercy.
We will see that leading, giving and mercy are really explanations of some of the main ways we serve others. We serve as leaders, we serve by giving resources to those in need, and we serve by showing mercy to those in distress.
Jesus taught us that the way leaders lead in His kingdom is not by rank and power but rather but stooping low to serve.
Jesus taught that giving to others is an important part of our stewardship and Jesus taught us by His example what it looks like to show mercy to those who are hurting and in distress.
All Christians are to be growing in the grace of serving. Serving is a nonnegotiable of Christ likeness. It is not only a gift, it is also a command to be obeyed: serve on another as I have served you.
However, there are also certain believers who have specific aptitudes by the Spirit that enriches their service to a higher degree than most. These are high callings and special endowments.
Let us look on them as such.
Because of grace,
Tim
