Saved To Serve

“Let my people go, so that they may serve me.” (Exodus 8:1)

God directed Moses to speak these words to Pharaoh when God was preparing to free His people from bondage in Egypt. God was setting Israel free from slavery in order that they would worship and serve Him. What was true thousands of years ago is still true for you and me: We have been saved to serve.

Many in the church today have lost sight of this biblical truth. Instead of understanding that we have been saved for service, far too many who claim the name of Christ wrongly believe they are saved by service. This is a false gospel, rooted in man’s merit, not God’s mercy. Salvation is all of God; there is nothing we can do to get saved. But after God saves us, we are now called to serve the One who set us free from our bondage to sin, Satan, and death. We are to offer ourselves as living sacrifices to God through service.

The most practical understanding of this truth is to recognize that we are to live lives of sacrificial service to others – all others – regardless of cost or circumstance. We have been blessed to be a blessing. We have been healed to help. We have been saved to serve. This is the call for every child of God, not just those who are in vocational ministry, such as pastors and missionaries. Every Christian is in full-time Christian service, regardless of what profession he or she has chosen. The butcher, baker, and candlestick maker all are called to serve their Savior. A “non-serving Christian” is an oxymoron — a contradiction in terms — of gargantuan proportions.

As you continue growing and maturing in your faith, keep in mind that your maturity is always for ministry. Jesus said that He “did not come to be served, but to serve,” and the same must be said about those who are His disciples.

How is it with you? Does your life reflect the truth that you have been saved to serve?

This is the Gospel. This is grace for your race. NEVER FORGET THAT . . . AMEN!