Jesus also said, “Yet I am among you as the One who serves” (Luke 22:27). Paul’s idea of service was the same as our Lord’s— “. . . ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake” (2 Corinthians 4:5). We somehow have the idea that a person called to the ministry is called to be different and above other people. But according to Jesus Christ, he is called to be a “doormat” for others— called to be their spiritual leader, but never their superior. This is so not what the world teaches.  We are told to stand up for ourselves and defend ourselves and not be taken advantage of by others. This is so false because we know that Jesus stands up for us and so we do not have to do it ourselves.   Paul said, “I know how to be abased . . .” (Philippians 4:12). I think he was saying he knew how to be devalued by the world because he was so valued by Jesus.   Paul’s idea of service was to pour his life out to the last drop for others. And whether he received praise or blame made no difference. This need to be equally as strong for me.  It is not praise of men I seek and therefore blame from them also doesn't bring me down.   As long as there was one human being who did not know Jesus, Paul felt a debt of service to that person until he did come to know Him. But the chief motivation behind Paul’s service was not love for others but love for his Lord. This is becoming so strong for me to pursue my love relationship with You, Lord.  It is the basis for everything else in my life.  If our devotion is to the cause of humanity, we will be quickly defeated and broken-hearted, since we will often be confronted with a great deal of ingratitude from other people. But if we are motivated by our love for God, no amount of ingratitude will be able to hinder us from serving one another. "If we are motivated by our love for God" is the key to my victory in this life.  I do love You, Lord, and want my life to reflect that love. 

Paul’s understanding of how Christ had dealt with him is the secret behind his determination to serve others. “I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man . . .” (1 Timothy 1:13). In other words, no matter how badly others may have treated Paul, they could never have treated him with the same degree of spite and hatred with which he had treated Jesus Christ. This is true humility--to know who I am without the love of Christ--not thinking I am anything outside of Jesus.  .  Once we realize that Jesus has served us even to the depths of our meagerness, our selfishness, and our sin, nothing we encounter from others will be able to exhaust our determination to serve others for His sake. I am so grateful that You saved me, when I so did not deserve to be saved, and that You call me your own now, when I still do not deserve it, that I want to live my live showing You my gratitude.  I know I can do that by how I treat others in service to You.