Hidden Service

Service itself draws us closer to Christ as we walk in His footsteps and perfected example. “Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minster, and to give his life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28) Christ’s purpose of entering the world was to serve mankind. The humbling reality of the service of God, begs to ask, “What hinders us from being a servant?” This immediately confronts the presence of pride within our heart that hinders us from loving our neighbor as we love ourselves.

At the night of Passover, Christ got up from supper. He laid aside His garments and girded Himself with a towel. He begins washing each of the disciple’s feet. Jesus then teaches them that they ought to wash one another’s feet. “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.” As Christ humbly submitted Himself to service of others, we are taught that we are not above our Lord. Since God Himself has served those He created, why can’t we serve the brethren and our neighbor? This diminishes our pride in the reality of Christ our servant, and the process of serving in itself. “Nothing disciplines the inordinate desires of the flesh like service” (p. 113).

What keeps us from pursuing acts of secret service would primarily be that of the issue among the “hypocrites” in Matthew 6. Jesus says that their desire is “that they may be seen of men.” (Matthew 6:5b) This portrays a lack of inward affection toward God’s glory and a proper understanding of the purpose in serving God. Jesus says, “But all their works they do for to be seen of men:” (Matthew 23:5a). I assume that some circumstances of preferring public service may be to receive an interpersonal validation to be reassured they are doing a “good job”. Possibly, it may provide a level of comfort to hear the Pastor say, “Thank you for doing that.” Even so, those intentions are still mingled with pride and the desire to receive the praises of men rather than God.

Essentially, intentions seem to explain the majority of purposes for neglecting secret service. Self-gratification and an assurance of being viewed honorable of other people hinder from making an anonymous donation. Rather, we announce the donation before the church and make sure the amount is enunciated with the proper volume. Our fasts are proclaimed with detail along with out “devotional integrity” to abstain from food for 3 days. This is the missing mindset that hinders secret service, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33) If we serve in the reality of God’s Holiness and for the furtherance of His kingdom, no self-glory is desired. Firstly, we do not have any self-existent glory. Secondly, our good deeds (given by God’s grace) exist for the glorification of The Father.

Works Cited

The Holy Bible The Authorized King James Version. R.L. Allan and Son Publishers .