Pastor Chris Zielke – Faithful Service: An Offering to God
The transforming power of Jesus Christ is truly on display in the lives of those who have traded self-ishness for self-lessness. In 1 Peter chapter 4 (10-11) we read “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.” Peter is telling all followers of Christ to recognize that we are speaking and serving others on behalf of God, we are Christ’s ambassadors. What a privilege! And it is God Himself thru the power of the Holy Spirit that gives the ability and strength for us to do so. What a blessing! When we direct any glory towards God instead of accepting it for ourselves, we move in the complete opposite direction from those who’s M.O. is simply “what’s in it for me?”. That difference in our lives causes people to examine the life-changing nature of a relationship with Jesus Christ. It validates our faith to those around us. In Romans 12:1 Paul says, “Dear brothers and sisters,[[a](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=romans%2012%3A1&version=CEV,ESV,TLB,NLT#fen-NLT-28208a)] I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him.” Paul is so passionate in his expression to those who have been saved by the blood of Jesus. He knows it only makes sense to honor Him by serving others because of what He has done for us! It’s only reasonable that we would obediently serve others with gratitude to the One, our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who has provided the greatest service of all: salvation from our sin, a life of partnership with Christ and and the blessed gift of Eternal Life with Him!