Free to Serve
Bible Study

By his innocent life and death, Jesus freed us from the punishment our sins deserved. He also freed us for a life of service. Knowing that eternal life is ours as a gift of God’s grace, we use our days to serve him by serving those he has placed around us. One author, Gerhard Forde, speaks of the Christian’s life of service as one “lived in the world of the other.” 

Read Ephesians 4:32-5:2

1. The word translated “kind” has behind it the idea of being “useful.” What implications does that have for our lives of service to the Savior?

If we are going to be useful to someone, we have to learn what that individual needs. Only when we know his needs can we be kind to that individual, because kindness addresses needs. The Christian simply cannot conduct his life with blinders on, remaining oblivious to the needs of others. Since the Lord means to use us as his instruments of blessing, it is imperative that we live “in the world of the other,” keeping our eyes open and continually searching for needs. Sometimes, the person may not even know what he needs. The challenge for us is to be so observant and so concerned for others that we can perceive a need that is unknown even to the person in need. 

2. How is “forgiving each other” a fulfillment of the direction to “be kind and compassionate to one another”?

Kindness finds a need and addresses it. One of the greatest needs that we have as sinners is forgiveness from our fellow believers. Because we have a sinful nature that leads us to transgress God’s commands and hurt others, we need forgiveness. When forgiveness is denied, people tend to withdraw into their own little worlds. Compassion feels for a person and reaches out to help that person. Since we all know what it’s like to have sinned against someone and to carry a burden of guilt, we above all have reason to be compassionate. Compassion shows itself in freeing the person from such a burden. Yet another situation in which God’s people are to live “in the world of the other.”

3. Evaluate: A Christian naturally imitates God.