To "One Another" One Another (Serving)

{How are we to "one another" one another? What does it mean to really love one another? If you follow my blog you know that this month I am focusing on some of the "one another" commands.  To see the full series, click here.}

Servanthood.  Not a favorite word among humans!  No one really clamors to be a servant.  And nine times out of ten when a person does it is because they want something in return. Being a servant without anything in return is normally not what we sign up for. There is no glamor in servanthood. Yet, Christ asks us to put others first and serve them.

For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.  Galatians 5:13

The word "serve" in Galatians 5:13 is "douleo" which comes from "doulos" meaning "slave".  God is asking us to be slaves to others.  This sounds even less appealing than a servant. But God knows that we are all in bondage.  It is just a matter of to whom or what. We can be a slave to sin (i.e. be wrapped up in ourselves) or we can use our freedom from sin to go outside of ourselves and serve those around us.  So while it may not be pretty or easy, serving others brings more rewards than serving ourselves.  Think of this illustration: Take a stuffed animal and wrap it in Saran wrap.  What happens?  It gets smaller.  Being wrapped up in ourselves makes our lives small. It takes away our freedom. Ultimately, serving only ourselves leaves us lifeless.

In serving others, we become bonded to them.  Remember service is slavery.  Slavery is bondage.  While all that sounds icky, serving others is not the type of bondage that we should avoid.  Service brings us into relationship with others.  And God knows that we need relationships in order to survive.  He is all about the relationship and us being connected. Service makes life large, full, and joyous.

This week I am looking for opportunities to serve those around me.  Will you join me? 

They will know us by our love.