Deeper Reflection
Credentials, positions and titles are highly sought after in society, whether in ancient times or in today’s world. Performance is the key by which we gain those coveted trophies in whatever field or discipline. The need to perform drives us to work harder and do better than others, so as to emerge on top.However, are our performance indicators the plumb line by which God will measure us? Jesus the Messiah was the Suffering Servant foretold in the Old Testament. He came as the Servant King to die for the sins of fallen humanity and to save the lost. Jesus set the example for His disciples to follow. We are to imitate Him by serving people who are in need, weak and unable to help themselves.Jesus was rejected and despised on many occasions by those He came to save. Like Jesus, we are to serve people “with no strings attached”, that is, our service is not conditional upon their gratitude, appreciation or positive response. Freely we have received grace, freely we give grace to others.10 Gifts that must be merited are not gifts of grace. We serve in order to give, not in order to get. Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.”11Jesus taught us that to be great in the sight of God, one must be willing to serve all people. The way up is down. This is a descending into greatness. For it is an ascending towards Christ-likeness. May the Holy Spirit purge from our hearts every vain ambition and purify every tainted motive in our service.

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⁸ Information: https://newlife.org.sg/events/blessed2bless/ and Enquiries: b2b@newlife.org.sg ⁹ Enquiries: commbless@cefc.org.sg ¹⁰ 10 Matthew 10:8. ¹¹ Acts 20:35.