How important is it to you to serve others? After all, Christ has given office bearers to the church “to prepare God’s people for works of service.” The Greek term (diakonia) that Paul uses shows us that service is not restricted to what ministers, elders, and deacons do in the church. It is the task of all Christians. So here are some important questions: Are you serving? In what way is your “ministry” or “service” contributing to building up the body of Christ?

The Apostle Paul points out that “we have different gifts, according to the grace given us” (Romans 12:6). In 1 Corinthians 12:4-5 he touches on the same theme: “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.”

Jesus Christ is the one who gives us various gifts, using them to bind us together as members of one body. These gifts are not for self-glorification but for service. “Every gift is meant to circulate in diakonia (1 Peter 4:10) and in this way to demonstrate the bond with Christ.”¹

Your bond with Christ becomes visible in the way you interact with the members of the body of Christ, the church. Serving one another with the gifts that Christ gives within the church is an expression of Christian unity. As can be seen in Ephesians 4:1-16, it is part of our Christian calling.

Jesus Christ binds us together by the power of his Spirit. By that same Spirit, He activates us, calling us to work together, building each other up in the service of God. The gifts Christ gives are not only to enable us to express our unity together. When they are used, they further our unity in the Lord. Let’s, therefore, use them for the benefit of others.

There are limits to what each can accomplish alone. We are not self-sufficient as members of the church of Jesus Christ. We have certain gifts but lack others. For this reason, rejoice in the variety of gifts within the body of Christ: gifts of leadership, but also other gifts given for the sake of ministry in the name of Jesus Christ! When we share what we have received, we become more effective in Christ’s service as one body.

Before we can become channels of God’s grace to others, God’s work of grace must first take place in our own lives. Otherwise, our lives will be unfruitful. If we maintain our bond with Jesus Christ, the fruit of the Spirit will become visible. This involves prayerfully focussing on God’s Word. Without this, there will be no spiritual growth.

The Word not only strengthens our bond with Christ, it also affects our relationships with fellow Christians. In Colossians 3:16 Paul puts it this way:

Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

This kind of fellowship builds up the body of Christ. It is a form of ministry to each other. It includes mutual instruction and admonition for the sake of maintaining the bond with God and each other. It stimulates us all to further works of service.

Being members of the body of Christ has consequences for our relationships with others. As his followers, we must learn the meaning of self-sacrificial service motivated by love. This living proof of discipleship calls for reliance upon God instead of self-reliance.

Christian acts of service also require humility and an avoidance of favouritism. This does not mean there are no priorities as to whom to serve. Christian service should take place within the church first of all, as we minister to each other’s needs. However, this should not lead us to neglect our calling to “do good to all people” (Galatians 6:10).

Can people observe our lifestyle and see that our faith makes a difference? Do we really live for God? How do we interact among each other? Let’s be known by our love, love expressed through service to others.