Strength Through Service by David Jeremiah

Thursday, May 12 Strength Through Service Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another. Romans 12:10 Recommended Reading Philippians 2:3-4 Consider the apostle Paul’s analogy: The body of Christ is like the human body—many parts all contributing to the health of the whole (1 Corinthians 12:12-31). If the body has a broken arm, does the body ignore the wounded limb? No, all the organs “want” that arm to be healed quickly because they, as part of the body, will be healthier as well. Serving other parts of the body almost has a selfish element since serving others means becoming healthier ourselves. Now apply that analogy and principle to marriage; think of marriage as a “two-part body”—God’s one-flesh design for the marriage union (Genesis 2:24; Matthew 19:4-6). To the degree spouses resist serving one another out of anger, disappointment, or selfishness, they negate God’s principle of one flesh and Paul’s analogy of the health of the body. When spouses serve one another, they are strengthening their union. The spouse being served gets stronger, but so does the spouse who is serving. As the parts are strengthened through service, so the whole is strengthened. Look for opportunities to serve others. You will be stronger and healthier for it! A Single Thought: We value what we freely serve. Douglas Groothuis