The Shaping Virtues - Servanthood
The gospel saves us into a life of service, first to God and then to others as an expression of that service. “For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Corinthians 4:5). If humility is the foundation of our shaping virtues, servanthood is the capstone. The humble, joyful, grateful, encouraging, generous, loving believer simply can’t help but have those virtues overflow in a life of practical service.
Jesus left us with a clear example of this life of service that is at the heart of our gospel calling. As his disciples argued among themselves about who was the greatest, Jesus redefined true greatness: “You know that those who are considered rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great ones exercise authority over them. But it shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, and whoever would be first among you must be slave of all” (Mark 10:42-44). And to emphasize the point, he made this stunning statement: “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
The death of Christ is the greatest demonstration of that service, but not the only one. To show exactly what such service should look like, Jesus, washed his disciples’ feet, fully cognizant of his divinity and of the looming cross. He explained, “You call me Teacher and Lord, and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you” (John 13:13-15).
Thus, we care for one another in the context of local church communities. This is not only an intent of the gospel, it is also one of the fruits of the gospel. God’s love has been placed in our hearts, enabling Christians to love in ordinary and extraordinary ways. In I John this connection is explained: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love…Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another” (1 John 4:7-8, 11).
We are give the necessary grace to live this way. Paul explains that “to each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7). Peter emphasizes the purpose of such gifts: “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace” (1 Peter 4:10). In the parable of the talents in Matthew 25, Jesus emphasizes our responsibility to use the gifts and graces God has given us, but also teaches the heavenly reward his servants will receive. “Well done, good and faithful servant” (Matthew 25:23) is the commendation every believer longs to hear on that day.