Service to God is motivated by at least six motivators. Among these motivators are love and gratitude. This is an astute realization. Love and gratitude are powerful motivators. There must be gratitude for what God has done and love for God and the people of God.
Service to God often requires more than we desire to give. This is often the result of forgetting what God has done. Scripture says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) What a phenomenal sacrifice by God. Offering one’s sole heir to a group of unrepentant, undeserving people is a mind-boggling sacrifice. Then, to make this sacrifice so that these people may be forgiven and have eternal life is beyond comprehension. If this were not sufficient, the Son promises these same people that He has come so that they may have life and life more abundantly. (John 10:10)
The people often do not reflect on the meaning of these words. If they did, they would certainly feel ashamed. Service is the least that others can offer. (Romans 12:1) It is impossible to match or outdo God. (Psalm 116:12) The least that can be done is to serve God selflessly. (Matthew 4:10) Service to God is service to His people. (Matthew 25:40)
When one becomes an impediment to another, it becomes a stumbling block. (1 Corinthians 8:9) The ability of others to serve can be blocked by the recalcitrance of another. In this case, there is a lack of gratitude and love.
These ungrateful others forget the greatest commandment. (Matthew 22: 36-40) Love means desiring more for others than for oneself (John 15:13) These others cannot even love God (1 John 4:7)
These people, in their actions, clearly are not serving God. The absence of love and gratitude renders one’s actions as mere misbehavior. It is not for God but for self. This is tragic. One needs to examine the motivation behind their actions. Moreover, they must consider what they are doing to others by their actions.
God deserves unselfish service covered by love and gratitude. Any less is not service.
