Week of Monday October 13 – October 19
Serving Him – Man as Provider
"Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God." - Romans 1:1 ESV
In his letter to the Roman church, Paul elected to introduce himself not by emphasizing his impressive education, his background as a Pharisee, or his status as an apostle, but by humbly referring to himself as a “servant of Christ Jesus.” This choice of words may have surprised some of his readers, as they may have thought such a title was beneath him.
The Greek word translated as “servant” is doulos, which means “bondservant” or “bondslave.” A bondslave could be someone who voluntarily serves a master or someone who is considered the property of their master. In Paul’s day, slavery was widespread, with estimates suggesting that as many as 20 percent of the Roman Empire’s population were slaves. So, when Paul described himself as a “bondslave,” his original audience would have understood the implications of his words.
Renowned Bible scholar and theologian J.I. Packer says:
[The word doulos] denote[s] a man who is not at his own disposal but is his master’s purchased property. Bought to serve his master’s needs, to be at his beck and call every moment, the slave’s sole business is to do as he is told. Christian service therefore means, first and foremost, living out a slave relationship to one’s Savior… Only the Holy Spirit can create in us the kind of love toward our Savior that will overflow in imaginative sympathy and practical helpfulness towards his people. Unless the spirit is training us in love, we are not fit persons to go to college or a training class to learn the know-how or particular branches of Christian work. Gifted leaders who are self-centered and loveless are a blight to the church rather than a blessing.
By contrast, Paul with a heart full of love and compassion for a lost world is saying is that his servitude to the Lord Jesus Christ is willingly done with a holy dedication and heartfelt loyalty. In a world that often prizes power, prestige, and position above all else, humility and obedience to God are countercultural.
God has created each of us with unique gifts for his divine will and purpose. We should use them, lest they go to waste (Rom. 12:6a). Consider the world-renowned violinist Niccolo Paganini, who willed his marvelous instrument to the city of Genoa on the condition that it never be played again, only displayed. The wood of such a violin, when handled and used, wears well and endures, but if it is left untouched, it begins to decay more quickly. Today, Paganini’s beautiful violin has deteriorated and serves little purpose, except as a relic. Similarly, a Christian’s unwillingness to serve may soon destroy his capacity for usefulness.
True joy, satisfaction, and freedom are found when we surrender ourselves to the lordship of Jesus Christ. Christ Himself modeled servitude for us when He “emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant” (doulos) and becoming “obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:5-8). Our lives shine the brightest and leave the most lasting of impressions when we are obedient to Christ (Phil. 2:14-15).
We all serve someone or something; the choice is yours. Remember, those you love and lead are watching the example you provide.
- Is the One you serve clearly evident to your family and friends, or do your priorities send an unclear message?
- Are you living a life fully surrendered to the One who loved and died for you? In what ways are you serving your family, church, and community?
- Surrender to your Savior as His bondslave afresh and ask Him to show you places to plug in and serve, knowing that in reality you are serving the Lord (see Col. 3:23-24).
Serving Him – Man as Provider
"Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God." - Romans 1:1 ESV
In his letter to the Roman church, Paul elected to introduce himself not by emphasizing his impressive education, his background as a Pharisee, or his status as an apostle, but by humbly referring to himself as a “servant of Christ Jesus.” This choice of words may have surprised some of his readers, as they may have thought such a title was beneath him.
The Greek word translated as “servant” is doulos, which means “bondservant” or “bondslave.” A bondslave could be someone who voluntarily serves a master or someone who is considered the property of their master. In Paul’s day, slavery was widespread, with estimates suggesting that as many as 20 percent of the Roman Empire’s population were slaves. So, when Paul described himself as a “bondslave,” his original audience would have understood the implications of his words.
Renowned Bible scholar and theologian J.I. Packer says:
[The word doulos] denote[s] a man who is not at his own disposal but is his master’s purchased property. Bought to serve his master’s needs, to be at his beck and call every moment, the slave’s sole business is to do as he is told. Christian service therefore means, first and foremost, living out a slave relationship to one’s Savior… Only the Holy Spirit can create in us the kind of love toward our Savior that will overflow in imaginative sympathy and practical helpfulness towards his people. Unless the spirit is training us in love, we are not fit persons to go to college or a training class to learn the know-how or particular branches of Christian work. Gifted leaders who are self-centered and loveless are a blight to the church rather than a blessing.
By contrast, Paul with a heart full of love and compassion for a lost world is saying is that his servitude to the Lord Jesus Christ is willingly done with a holy dedication and heartfelt loyalty. In a world that often prizes power, prestige, and position above all else, humility and obedience to God are countercultural.
God has created each of us with unique gifts for his divine will and purpose. We should use them, lest they go to waste (Rom. 12:6a). Consider the world-renowned violinist Niccolo Paganini, who willed his marvelous instrument to the city of Genoa on the condition that it never be played again, only displayed. The wood of such a violin, when handled and used, wears well and endures, but if it is left untouched, it begins to decay more quickly. Today, Paganini’s beautiful violin has deteriorated and serves little purpose, except as a relic. Similarly, a Christian’s unwillingness to serve may soon destroy his capacity for usefulness.
True joy, satisfaction, and freedom are found when we surrender ourselves to the lordship of Jesus Christ. Christ Himself modeled servitude for us when He “emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant” (doulos) and becoming “obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Phil. 2:5-8). Our lives shine the brightest and leave the most lasting of impressions when we are obedient to Christ (Phil. 2:14-15).
We all serve someone or something; the choice is yours. Remember, those you love and lead are watching the example you provide.
- Is the One you serve clearly evident to your family and friends, or do your priorities send an unclear message?
- Are you living a life fully surrendered to the One who loved and died for you? In what ways are you serving your family, church, and community?
- Surrender to your Savior as His bondslave afresh and ask Him to show you places to plug in and serve, knowing that in reality you are serving the Lord (see Col. 3:23-24).