THE WILL TO LOVE - Vital Christianity

48Jesus Christ came not to be ministered unto, but to minister and give His life. Thedistinctiveness of Christianity, therefore, is not living to get, but living to give. And servanthood is the process of giving up our rights of one’s servants, but the number one serves, thatcounts.The greatest of all the arts is the art of losing ourselves in the service of others.The following poem illustrations what of ten passes for love nowadays.“I was hungry and you formed ahumanities club and discussedmy hunger . . . Thank you.I was imprisoned and you crept offquietly to your chapel and prayedfor my release.I was naked and in your mind youdebated the morality of my appearance.I was sick and you knelt and thankedGod for you health.I was homeless and you preached tome of the shelter of the love of God.I was lonely and you left me aloneto pray for me.You seem so holy; so close to God;But I’m still very hungry, andlonely, and cold . . .”--AnonymousWhile faith deals with invisibles, God hates that “love” which is invisible.Love that is not expressed in concrete action is not love. It is possible to “serve” withoutloving, but it is not possible to love without serving. True service is the result of spiritualworship. Service is the overflow of our love relationship with Jesus Christ. Any other kind of“service” is fleshly or forced.