Today, Scripture points are shared on the character and nature of servitude as disciples of Christ. Balance, circumspection and modesty are to be shown by the “born again” believer. Those having new life will resist pursuing worldly ambitions, covetousness, and self-promotion just as they will avoid boasting, showing off, and vainglory. All Christian believers are to discipline themselves and maintain self-government while answering the sovereign reign of GOD over all. As servants and stewards within the household of GOD, Christians are by no means to feel disgraced, or made a fool of when addressing the needs of others, for they truly are divine agents and representatives of Jesus Christ. Even when employed in secular jobs and worldly occupations, believers are to excel at what they do as their acknowledgment and expression of gratitude for life from GOD as well as their own gift and offering in thanksgiving to the Lord. Consider again the following from the Bible, and the comments appearing below: Psalms 100: 1-3, King James Version (KJV): 1 Make a joyful noise unto the LORD, all ye lands. 2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. 3 Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Also, Colossians 3: 16-17, KJV: 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him. 1st Corinthians 7: 21-23, KJV: 21 Art thou called being a servant? care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. 22 For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant. 23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. A writer at “Yahoo! Answers (Canada)” using the ID “nathan b” (Level 2 with 306 points, a member since February 26, 2009) posted the following:
Is it bad for me to be a servant?
Im just wondering I know I am not a leader and in fact i dont like being 1. I genuinely enjoy serving other people. Not in a religious sense no but in a practical sense. If someone ask me to do something i genuinely enjoy doing said thing for them
THE GOLDEN ARROW: But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. Use hospitality one to another without grudging. As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. (1st Peter 4: 7-11, KJV)
THE DOUBLE DAGGER: The Ordinance of Humility? (08/12/2015); When Asked to Serve? (01/21/2015); It Comes With the Job? (01/11/2015); Asked to Carry the Cross? (07/25/2014); Good Intentions? (07/26/2014); Religious Bosses? (07/08/2014); Unprofitable Servants? (01/19/2014)
“nathan b”, while Christian believers are called to receive place as joint-heirs, kings, and priests of a divine kingdom with the Lord, all are to continually display the dutifulness, humility, trustworthiness, and zeal that characterize loyal servants. Just as expressed and preserved through the traditional marriage vow, to obey is one of the highest expressions of love, for in obedience one puts aside their own desires and will to perform the will of another, and to ensure their satisfaction and well-being. Called and recruited to serve is to be understood as being granted intimate access to those who are anointed and sanctified (we say, holy). The servant is acknowledged and elevated by the privilege to freely express allegiance and devotion as well as by multiple opportunities to gain merit and earn reward. The principles believers and disciples are guided by include commitment, dependence, exclusive focus, honesty, perseverance, reliability, respect, self-esteem, and unselfishness. Consider again the following points from the Bible:
(1.) Isaiah 65: 13-16, King James Version (KJV): 13 Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed: 14 Behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit. 15 And ye shall leave your name for a curse unto my chosen: for the Lord GOD shall slay thee, and call his servants by another name: 16 That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes.
(2.) Matthew 20: 25-28, KJV: 25 But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. 26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; 27 And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: 28 Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
(3.) Matthew 23: 8-12, KJV: 8 But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. 9 And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. 10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. 11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. 12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
There is far more to be said, correctly applied, and spiritually apprehended. (For example, (4.) Isaiah 56: 4-7, KJV: 4 For thus saith the LORD unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant; 5 Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off. 6 Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to the LORD, to serve him, and to love the name of the LORD, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant; 7 Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.) Even so, I trust this fragment will be useful. Be it unto you according to your faith.
THE BLACK PHOENIX
Washington, DC
THE WHOLE ARMOR OF GOD 