Servanthood

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Servanthood

As I began my study of Romans today, God led me down a long rabbit trail following the idea of servanthood. At the beginning of his letters, Paul first and foremost identifies himself as a servant of Christ.  This is a beautiful metaphor. In the greek language, a servant is "one who gives himself up for another's will". As believers, we no longer belong to ourselves. We belong to the Lord and live to do His will. The greek language defines a servant of Christ as one "whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing His cause among men". Paul's mission is to deliver the message of the gospel of God throughout the nation. He does this through the gift of God's grace and apostleship which is needed to live out the faith. As a servant, Paul was devoted to God in disregard to his own interests. 

"A servant of Jesus Christ is a higher title than monarch of the world" Matthew Poole

Jesus set the perfect example of servanthood. He "did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant" (Phil 2). What a humbling picture! The Son of the Creator of the Universe left his place in the heavens at the right hand of God to become a mere human. And not a rich or powerful human, but a slave! Before submitting himself to God's will, his brutal death, Jesus chose to wash the feet of his disciples. This was not a glamorous task by any means. The disciple's feet were filthy after all their sandy traveling in open toed shoes. After bowing low before the imperfect men to cleanse their dirtiness, Jesus said, "If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet" (John 13). If Jesus Christ was humble enough to wash the disgusting feet of his closest friends, how much more should we serve others no matter the task? 

I am deeply convicted when I think of Jesus' call to develop a servant's heart. I may be willing to speak to women in the church, do dishes for my family, pray over my girlfriends' problems, but am I willing to wash the dirty feel of an old man? Am I willing to clean the floor of a hospital in a room where no one knows and no one sees? To what extent does our servant's heart go? A Bible study leader of mine once revealed to the group the most beautiful act of worship he had ever beheld. It was not someone raising their hands in song or kneeling before God in prayer at church (although those are precious worshipful moments). He surprisingly said it was a woman, in an empty room, softly singing words of praise while cleaning up the vomit of a sick little boy. The girl had no idea she was being humbly observed by my Bible study leader. Wow! That gives me chills just to imagine. This maidservant of Christ was so grateful that God's mercy allowed her to mop up throw up all for His glory. 

Matthew 10:25 says, "It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master". A true servant does not have his own personal agenda. His chief goal is to glorify His Father. For him, to be have the attitude of Christ is enough. Having the right motive for doing kind things for others is difficult! There are so many voices in our head filling us in on all the personal benefits we will receive if we complete this act. In the name of the Lord, take captive those thoughts! Be thankful for the failures and trials that work to purify your motives. 

"The King of glory rewards his servants not according to the dignity of the office but by the humility of which is performed." Lawrence

I want to encourage you (and me) to be willing to take on the task God has given you in the present moment. Be grateful for the role you are currently playing. Take the form of a servant even if the assignment is not to your liking. Be submissive to the will of God in the present moment. Remember you belong to Christ, not yourself. You are a bondservant of Christ, not men. You are bound to Jesus with bonds that can never be broken! While being a slave to sin leads to more sin and death, slaves to righteousness leads to holiness and eternal life. ❤︎

The Girl Next Door