READ: Ephesians 6:5-9
5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
7 With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men:
8 Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
KEY THOUGHT:
“As unto Christ.” Those are words used to describe the service that a follower of Jesus Christ renders to others. We often think of sacrificial and diligent service when our service is to Christ. But what about service to others? The Bible makes it clear that our service to others should be just as diligent, as if it were rendered unto Christ. Sometimes, we serve to seek man’s approval. That’s not enough. We should serve diligently to seek God’s approval in everything, “doing the will of God from the heart.” Likewise, when we are served by others, we should receive such service with courtesy and thanksgiving, even when it doesn’t quite measure up to our expectations. After all, when we serve God, how does He receive our service?
CONSIDER:
- How is performing a service to others different from serving God?
- What’s the meaning of eyeservice as compared to serving from the heart?
- When you serve others, do you try your best to please God or other people?
- How do you respond when you receive service from others? Does your response please God?
APPLICATION:
In all that you do, serve others and serve God diligently according to His will.
