Serve one another

   Through love serve one another. Gal. 5:13

   «As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another,» 1 Pet. 4:10 says.
God has - quite contrary to most of the preaching you hear - on the whole no use for your service.
   No, «- nor is He served by human hands!» (Acts 17:25). - And as He Himself says to His disciples: «The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. (Mat. 20:28; Mark 10:45).
   In your relationship with God it is never question for your service, but on and after that day you came to believe in the Lord Jesus, you are Gods friend who is allowed to eat by His table every day, just like Mephibosheth was allowed to eat by Davids table, because of his father Jonathan.
Jesus once said to His disciples: «No longer do I call you slaves... but I have called you friends.» (John 15:15).
   Have this not dawned upon you, that He consider you as His friend, you still find yourself in a coercive condition you need to be freed from!
   It is your fellow human beings He want you to serve. - As it is said: «So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.» (Gal. 6:10).
   If we on the whole shall mention that we have any service for God, it is to serve one another!
This is how the apostle John preaches this to us: «This is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, just as He commanded us.» (1 John 3:23).
   What is said about our relationship with God here? - That we owe Him anything? - No, only that we shall believe in His Sons, Jesus Christs name - which means, to believe in His work here on earth and in heaven - His act to salvation!
   But we ought to love our brethren! - Those who have part in the same fall, and also is raised from the same, as us! Those who God loves, not because of their own, but for Jesus sake. Should we then have any right to be ill-natured towards them?
   This is how the Word of God speaks about it!
   - Vi are not called to any slavery, but to perfect freedom in Jesus Christ! We do not owe Him anything any longer, because the debt is paid!

E.K.

Holy Bible New American Standard Version
Translator: E.K.