“I’m a bondservant of the Lord.” So stated Paul and each different New Testomony epistle author. Works-preachers ever since have been saying that we’re God’s servants who serve so get busy serving.
And the result’s a flesh-powered, fatigued and fruitless church.
You aren’t God’s servant. You’re his dearly-loved youngster (Eph. 5:1, 1 John 3:1). You’re a son, not a slave. Huge distinction.
What does God want servants for anyway? He created the universe with a phrase. How precisely do you suppose you possibly can serve him? Can you progress continents and govern the tides? Can you retain the planets of their orbits? Are you able to create matter and power?
“I put the chairs out on Sunday.”
That may be a helpful factor to do but it surely’s your job, not your identification. You aren’t God’s royal chair-putter-outer. You’re his beloved youngster, who occurs to place out the chairs.
It’s necessary that you simply distinguish your identification from your occupation.
You might be a preacher to hundreds of thousands or a telemarketer who rings folks throughout dinner, however these are stuff you do. They aren’t who you’re.
You can be probably the most awarded vocalist in historical past and everyone calls you “The Voice.” However you aren’t The Voice. You’re far more than your reward. You’re your Father’s beloved youngster.
Bondservants of Christ
When Paul et al. launched themselves as bondservants of Christ, they had been saying, “I serve folks within the title of Jesus.”
For we don’t preach ourselves however Christ Jesus as Lord, and ourselves as your bond-servants for Jesus’ sake. (2 Corinthians 4:5)
Jesus, the Son of God, took the type of a bondservant (Php. 2:7). He was not confused about his identification, however he was servant-hearted (Mark 10:45). He’s the Son who serves. It’s the identical with us.
For although I’m free from all, I’ve made myself a servant to all, that I would win extra of them. (1 Corinthians 9:19)
Though we’re free in Christ, we select to serve within the title of Christ in order that the orphans of this world may come to know their Father who loves them. Like Christ, we’re the sons who serve. We don’t serve to curry favor with God, however to disclose the Servant-king to folks.
“I’m only a humble doorkeeper in the home of my Lord.”
No, you aren’t.
Jesus didn’t endure and die to extend the scale of heaven’s family employees. He didn’t come to recruit doorkeepers and maids as if heaven was some type of Downton Abbey.
It’s crucial that you simply get this lest you be tempted into useless works and fall from grace.
Draw close to, doorkeeper
The psalmist who wrote these well-known phrases about being a doorkeeper in the home of God (see Ps. 84:10) was unacquainted with the brand new covenant. He lived below the outdated covenant when nobody bought near God. Again then, the perfect you would hope for was being a distant doorkeeper. However now, every thing has modified.
Then: Keep away or die (Ex. 19:12, Num. 18:7)
Now: Draw close to to God and he’ll draw close to to you. (Jas. 4:8)
Due to Jesus, we see God for who he actually is. God isn’t your employer or your boss. He’s your heavenly Father and he desires you to method him with confidence.
That is what makes the brand new covenant new.
So sufficient with the doorkeeper discuss. Be taught to talk the brand new language of the brand new covenant, which seems like this:
See what nice love the Father has lavished on us, that we needs to be known as youngsters of God! And that’s what we’re! (1 John 3:1)
If you pray, see your self as speaking to your Father who loves you and accepts you.
If you sing, see your self as singing to your Father who loves you and accepts you.
And while you lie down on the finish of a protracted day of placing out chairs or recording hit singles or chilly calling folks throughout dinner, see your self resting below the smiling face of your Father who loves you and accepts you.
—
Be taught extra about your identification in Christ. Get a sneak peek at Paul’s subsequent ebook!
Be part of the supporters’ crew.
