Today’s Scripture Reading: Romans 12:1
I don’t know about you, but sometimes, I think auto-correct is one of the most evil and frustrating techie “solutions” that’s ever been invented. I can’t count the number of times I’ve pressed “send” after writing what I thought was a carefully crafted text message, only to wince in pain after reading what the auto-correct on my phone thought I meant to write. I have seen “Dear” changed to “dead” and “God bless you” has been turned to “Hod bless you”.
Today’s auto-correct intervention however, did actually bring a smile to my face. It was almost as though a sentient being had finally taken over the dictionary duties on my phone – I wrote the reference for today’s bible reading Romans 12:1, and it had changed it to Romance 12:1. Since we are looking this week at God’s love language, I thought it was an apt correction to fit the mood of today’s devotion.
Acts of Service
Service is a word that carries different connotations depending on the context of use. Saying that, it has become a sort of “catch-all” word that we like to use in Christian circles to define different aspects of our work for God or our walk with God.
Let’s look at this love language from God’s view point.
No Service
The first thing that comes to my mind when I think of service is my mobile phone provider. My phone frustratingly, constantly displays a “No Service” message whenever I’m in my study at home! For some of us, that’s exactly the phrase that comes into God’s mind when He thinks about us…No Service.
We look like what we are meant to be, but we are unable to give what we were created to give.
Faulty Service
In the game of Tennis, the rules demand that the players ensure that they serve the ball to the opposition player’s side of the court within the boundaries of the lines marked out on the court. Sometimes, even the best players miss the mark and the umpire makes the call for a “Faulty Service”. In like manner, there are some, who offer God service that is unacceptable to Him – they try to “serve” God outside the boundaries of what God desires, according to what they have determined that God deserves.
If we are to respond correctly to Acts of Service as God’s love language, we need to be conscious of the wider ramifications of the word in use.
Service in its simplest term, means To wait on someone. It has the following components:
Reception – There is always A Giver and a Receiver. God being the receiver and we being the giver.
Action – Service goes beyond the mere voicing of our words of affirmation. It demands action.
Work – Service involves work
Expectations – Service creates expectations
Stewardship – It is an act of stewardship that demands accountability to the commitment made.
Obedience – Service is manifest in acts of obedience
Sacrifice – This is sometimes the litmus test for our love in service. Sacrifice is the ultimate proof of the depth of love or commitment that
we have towards God.
we have towards God.
But what’s love got to do with service?
If service is devoid of love, it becomes just toilsome labour.
Remember what God promises in Hebrews 6:10?
“For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister.” (NKJV)
God says He will not forget your work AND labour of love; not just your works.
You can “work” and “labour” for the Lord in His vineyard and your service is forgettable because it is not mixed with love.
The scripture admonishes us to:
“Offer ourselves as living sacrifices unto God, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.“
If we look at the highlighted words, we see the components of service that were mentioned earlier in play:
What you Offer – “Yourself”
How you offer it – “Sacrifice”
The attitude with which you offer it – “Acceptable unto God”:
That is your reasonable service!
“Acts of service” as God’s love language is not about the “things” that you do for God or the “things” that you give to God. It is primarily about the
one thing that God cherishes most from you – Yourself; Your whole heart!
one thing that God cherishes most from you – Yourself; Your whole heart!
Service that comes from the heart is like a free will offering that is the tangible expression of the love in the heart of the giver towards the receiver.
It disregards inconvenience, it laughs at personal discomfort; it embraces sacrificial giving just to serve the one for whom love is professed.
Does that describe the type of service that you render to God?
Selah…
Shalom,
Pastor Wale Ola
LIFE APPLICATION
1. What is God saying to me in today’s message?
2. What was ministered to me in the bible verses that I read today?
3. What are the changes or adjustments I need to make in my life to align with the word of God?
4. What is my commitment to the word for today?
5. What practical steps can I take to benefit from the word I have read today?
This Week’s Memory Verse: Romans 12:10
PRAYER FOCUS
Lord I offer my life to you today as a living sacrifice.
I offer everything I am and everything that I have in service to You.
Show me how to serve you in ways that are acceptable to you.
I want my service to be pleasing to you.
Song For Today: Inside Out – Hillsongs