Servir
Servir é o coração do evangelho. Jesus não veio para ser servido, mas para servir. O cristão é chamado a seguir esse exemplo, colocando-se a serviço de Deus e do próximo.
O exemplo de Jesus
Cristo é o modelo supremo de serviço. Ele lavou os pés dos discípulos e deu a própria vida como resgate por muitos.
For even the Son of Man did not come to be served; he came to serve and to give his life to redeem many people."
like the Son of Man, who did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life to redeem many people."
This, however, is not the way it shall be among you. If one of you wants to be great, you must be the servant of the rest; and if one of you wants to be first, you must be the slave of the others—
I, your Lord and Teacher, have just washed your feet. You, then, should wash one another’s feet.
Jesus sat down, called the twelve disciples, and said to them, "Whoever wants to be first must place himself last of all and be the servant of all."
Servindo ao Senhor
Servir a Deus é um privilégio e uma ordenança. Devemos amá-lo de todo coração e servi-lo com alegria e fidelidade.
If you are not willing to serve him, decide today whom you will serve, the gods your ancestors worshiped in Mesopotamia or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are now living. As for my family and me, we will serve the Lord."
Make sure you obey the law that Moses commanded you: love the Lord your God, do his will, obey his commandments, be faithful to him, and serve him with all your heart and soul."
"Now, people of Israel, listen to what the Lord your God demands of you: Worship the Lord and do all that he commands. Love him, serve him with all your heart, and obey all his laws. I am giving them to you today for your benefit.
Follow the Lord and honor him; obey him and keep his commands; worship him and be faithful to him.
Work hard and do not be lazy. Serve the Lord with a heart full of devotion.
Since this is true, how much more is accomplished by the blood of Christ! Through the eternal Spirit he offered himself as a perfect sacrifice to God. His blood will purify our consciences from useless rituals, so that we may serve the living God.
Servir ao próximo
A liberdade cristã nos chama a servir uns aos outros pelo amor. Cada dom recebido é para edificação do corpo de Cristo.
As for you, my friends, you were called to be free. But do not let this freedom become an excuse for letting your physical desires control you. Instead, let love make you serve one another.
Live as free people; do not, however, use your freedom to cover up any evil, but live as God’s slaves.
Whoever wants to serve me must follow me, so that my servant will be with me where I am. And my Father will honor anyone who serves me.
"You cannot be a slave of two masters; you will hate one and love the other; you will be loyal to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
Nor must you surrender any part of yourselves to sin to be used for wicked purposes. Instead, give yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life, and surrender your whole being to him to be used for righteous purposes.
Fidelidade e recompensa
O servo fiel e sábio será recompensado pelo Senhor. A fidelidade no serviço honra a Deus e produz frutos eternos.
‘Well done, you good and faithful servant!’ said his master. ‘You have been faithful in managing small amounts, so I will put you in charge of large amounts. Come on in and share my happiness!’
So then, my dear friends, stand firm and steady. Keep busy always in your work for the Lord, since you know that nothing you do in the Lord’s service is ever useless.
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living, so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed.
The Lord guides us in the way we should go
and protects those who please him.
The Lord will save his people;
those who go to him for protection will be spared.