The Heart of Service in Christ: More than Just Acts

In today’s Christian world, service is often associated with participation in various church activities—whether it’s joining a ministry, leading a small group, or volunteering. While these acts of service are important, they are not the ultimate goal of our Christian walk. Jesus makes it clear that not all acts done in His name reflect a heart that truly seeks to serve God.

In Matthew 7:21-23, Jesus offers a sobering reminder: "Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’" This passage reveals the critical difference between the outward acts of service and the inward posture of the heart. Christ is not only interested in what we do but why we do it.

Service as More than an Activity

In many church communities, service is often defined by participation in programs, activities, and various roles. While these are certainly beneficial to the body of Christ, we must ask ourselves: Are we serving because it’s expected of us or because it’s a genuine expression of our love for God? 

God is not impressed with our busyness. In fact, Scripture is filled with examples where outward acts of service are rejected because the heart behind them is not right. One such example is found in Isaiah 29:13, where the Lord says, "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is based on merely human rules they have been taught." God desires more than lip service or mindless activities; He desires hearts that are fully devoted to Him.

The Heart of Service

The key to true service in Christ is the condition of our hearts. 1 Samuel 16:7 says, "The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart." While people may applaud our actions, God is concerned with the motives behind them. Are we serving out of a desire to gain recognition, approval, or position? Or are we serving out of a genuine love for God and His people?

Jesus consistently modeled this type of service. In Philippians 2:5-7, Paul writes, "In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." Christ's service was rooted in humility, love, and submission to the Father’s will. 

True service flows from a heart that is surrendered to God, not from a desire for praise or validation. When we serve with a pure heart, our actions become a reflection of God’s love, and they are pleasing to Him.

When Service Becomes a Show

One of the great dangers in church communities is the temptation to serve for worldly recognition. Jesus warns about this in Matthew 6:1: "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven." It is all too easy to perform acts of service to gain attention or approval, but this turns our service into a performance rather than an offering to God.

In Luke 10:38-42, we see the story of Martha and Mary. Martha was busy serving, yet Jesus told her, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed—or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her." Martha’s service, though well-intentioned, had become a distraction, while Mary’s focus was on being present with Jesus. This shows that service, even when done with good intentions, can lose its value when it is not grounded in a heart centered on Christ.

The Danger of a Divided Heart

Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:23, "I never knew you," reveal that it is possible to do many "good" things in His name and still be far from Him. This happens when our hearts are divided—when we seek both God and the approval of the world. James 1:8 warns against being double-minded, saying, "Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do."

Worldly recognition often tempts us to perform acts of service for the applause of people. However, Galatians 1:10 reminds us, "Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ." Service that is performed to gain human approval may be celebrated on earth, but it stinks before God when our motives are tainted by pride, ambition, or self-promotion.

Serving with a Pure Heart

The most important aspect of our service is not what we do but the spirit with which we do it. God desires that we serve Him with a pure heart, motivated by love, humility, and a desire to please Him. Colossians 3:23-24 advises, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

This passage teaches us that service is not just about actions but about the heart behind them. When we serve others, we are serving Christ. Therefore, our service should be an overflow of our relationship with God, a natural expression of the love He has poured into our hearts.

Conclusion: Service that Matters to God

As members of the body of Christ, our acts of service should not be mere rituals or performances. Rather, they should flow from hearts that are aligned with God’s will and motivated by His love. When we serve with a pure heart, seeking only to glorify God and bless others, our service becomes a powerful witness to the love and grace of Christ.

Let us, therefore, examine our hearts and ensure that our service is not driven by a desire for recognition or approval but by a deep and abiding love for God. In doing so, we fulfill the true essence of service in Christ—serving not just with our hands but with our hearts.