Living as a Servant

"Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant..." Philippians 2:5-8.

Only sons can truly serve. Our great example, the Lord Jesus, did not serve God to qualify to become a son. He already was the Son of God, yet He laid aside His glory to become the servant of all (Matt. 20:28). We too have been made sons (John 1:12; Gal.4:4-7), and only when we have a revelation of our position of rest, seated on the Throne in Christ (Eph. 2:6), can we then offer our lives in service to our Father. This takes all selfish motives out of our service for we already have all things in Christ (2 Pet.1:3; Col.2:9-10). Like the Lord Jesus, there are no "grasping" motives behind our service.

Love Slaves

Romans 1:1

The Greek word Paul uses here is doulos, which actually means "slave". He is referring to the custom of his day. If a slave came to the time when he could be set free, but because of his love for his master chose not to accept his freedom, he then received a mark pierced in his ear. This was a sign that he was a "love-slave" to his master for life (see Exodus 21:5-6; Deuteronomy 15:16-17). We, having been set free by Christ from the ownership of Satan, now by free-will choice become love-slaves to the One who has purchased us with His own precious blood.

1 Cor.6:19-20; 1 Peter 2:16

How To Serve God

Matthew 25:35-40

We serve the Lord when we serve one another. God counts the love we show to others as love expressed to Him. Paul tells that we have a continuing debt to the Lord, but that debt is only paid by loving each other (Romans 13:8).

Galatians 6:2; 1 Peter 4:10-11

Qualities of a Servant

The Lord pours out His Spirit upon His servants (Acts 2:18) and so we are filled with His qualities of servanthood:

Joy (Psalm 100:2; John 15:10-11).
Faithfulness (Luke 19:17; Hebrews 3:2-3).
Wholeheartedness (Rom.1:9-10; 1 Sam.12:24; 2 Chron.31:20-21).
Undivided loyalty (Luke 16:13; 1 Sam.7:3; Joshua 24:14-15).
Enthusiasm (Rom.12:11).

Faithful Servants

Matthew 25:21

Notice the parallel between this parable and the words in 1 Peter 1:7:

Matthew 25:21	1 Peter 1:7
"Well done"	Praise!
" I will put you incharge of many things"	Honor!
"Come and share your master's happiness"	Glory!

Matthew 25:35-40; 1 Peter 4:10-11 Hebrews 9:14; 1 Corinthians 9:16-19

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