Serving and Praising God

Q: Why is it important to serve God? Do we even need to serve God? And last question is, as a believer, what is the most important/vital service we should do to praise God? (Evangelize?? or is there something else more important) Please cite the bible if you will answer these questions! thank you (sic)

A: Thank you for your questions. The place to start is by defining what it means to serve God. When we hear the word “serve,” we immediately think of working for someone in order to supply their needs and wants. That leads to the question, “What is it that we can supply to God in order to meet His needs and wants?” Acts 17:25 says that God “is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else.” The answer is that there is nothing we can give to God as a result of our efforts. He, being God, does not need anything because He is the source of everything. However, if we define service using the Bible, we can begin to address your questions. Romans 12:1 says, “Therefore, I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.” Serving God is about an attitude of resting. We rest from our works in order to allow God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, guide us from within. We are living sacrifices in that we make ourselves available to Him to do with us as He sees fit in order to advance the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

The way we rest is by realizing that we are unconditionally loved (Romans 8:38-39) and totally accepted (Romans 15:7) in His eyes through our faith in Christ. Unfortunately, many Christians have been taught that they must be busy for God. From the moment a person is saved they are taught they must get to work in one form or another. For example, many hold the belief that there are “acts of obedience” that a Christian must perform. Usually, the first “act of obedience” is water baptism. Then, in varying order there are things like tithing, church membership, getting involved in some church group, etc. All of it taught with the mindset that you have to keep yourself holy in God’s eyes by what you are doing. And that is what passes for service to God; activity within an organized church. The focus is on the individual’s behavior and not on God’s love and acceptance of the individual, regardless of how they act. Trust me, when a Christian discovers how much God loves them, they will begin to bear the fruit of the Spirit. Making ourselves living sacrifices is the service God wants. We allow Him to use us to serve the world in love through us. That happens when we realize that through faith in Christ, God has “blessed us with every spiritual blessing (Ephesians 1:3)” and has given us “everything we need for life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).” It is “important” to know what service to God truly is and that you do not “need” to serve Him, but to allow Him to serve others in love through you.

There is not one important or vital service to do in order to praise God. The question, like the previous ones starts with a premise of what you are physically doing for God. The Christian life is not about trying to serve God, but getting to know Him. For most, praising God consists of giving joyful tribute or homage to God in the form of singing, shouting, dancing and so forth. While that is fine and understandable, even an unbeliever can do that. “And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10).” The only way to get to know God is by understanding that you are free to approach Him. “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God (1 Peter 3:18).” You are able to know God because there is no sin separating you from Him because of the death of Jesus Christ. By being able to approach God you are now able to receive all He has for those who come to Him by faith. And when you receive the inheritance He has given to you, the result will be to praise Him. You will want to do nothing else, but tell the world about His free gift of life, love and forgiveness found in Jesus Christ. Your praise will be to glorify Him for all He has done for you and doing through you. 

“If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen (1 Peter 4:11).”  In conclusion, serving God is done through the strength He provides. Praising God comes through Jesus Christ. Service and praise do not emanate from our strength or through us, but from God. This is all a byproduct of resting in who we are in Christ. When you know your identity in Christ, you won’t be consumed with what service to God is, is it important or how to best praise Him. When you begin to see the fruit of the Spirit being produced by God through you, you will know you are serving God by resting in His love for you and as you bear witness to Him it will be the praise with which you glorify Him. Be blessed and thanks for the questions.