Student Devotion Session 4: Serve The World/Love Others

Key Verses: Philemon 1:4-6, "⁴ I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, ⁵ because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. ⁶ I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. ⁷ Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people."

When you hear the word "service", what comes to mind?

Do you think of acts of service? Chances are, this is where your mind goes first. When you hear the word service you probably think about cutting the grass for someone, or bringing meals to your shut-in neighbor, or going on a medical mission trip.

But there is another side of service. And that is an attitude of service. Acts of service are things you do. But you would not be inclined to do acts of service unless you had an attitude of service. It's an interesting twist, don't you think?

What makes an attitude of service? Well, read Philemon 4-6 to find out. Did you rad it? Do you see the answer? Now, you're probably saying, I don't see anything in there about service. Well, in one way you might be right. Paul doesn't actually mention the word service in this passage. However, he says a great deal about the attitude of service.

Paul says that Philemon's love for all the saints is widely known. And it is Philemon's love that makes him a servant. Why? Because you can't do acts of service without an attitude of service. And you can't have an attitude of service unless you first love other people.

Loving others means putting them above yourself. It means looking at meeting their needs as more important than meeting your own. Loving others is a humbling act. And it is this valuing of others in live that motivates service. If you want to have an attitude of service, pray that God would lead you to love others more.

Once the love of God for others is in your heart, you will naturally want to live out of an attitude and a lifestyle of serving. Your actions will speak to what is in your heart. And ultimately, God will be glorified because of it.