TO SERVE OR BE SERVED –
WHICH IS MORE HONORING TO THE LORD
By W. G. Guy
The elite, and well-to-do, prefer to be served, and usually have servants to do their bidding. Thus to be a servant is generally a humble position that is looked down on; next to being worthless. Consider what Jesus told His disciples regarding being a servant:
Luke 17:7-10 – But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
Thus, the LORD Jesus sees things quite differently than mankind sees.
Matthew 20:25-28 – 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. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto (served), but to minister (serve), and to give his life a ransom for many.
The word “servant”, as used above comes from the Greek doulos and means “slave”, whether involuntarily or voluntarily, thus he is one under subjection or subserviency; thus a servant. Jesus declares that the person who provides His form of leadership is to be a servant; just as He gave Himself as an example.
The word “minister” comes from the Greek word diakoneos which means “an attendant”, “to run errands” or “to wait upon” as a waiter/waitress or a server tending to the one being served. (It is the same word that “deacon” comes from.)
Jesus, and the scriptures, put a lot of emphasis on being a lowly and humble servant; just as He set the example for us to follow. A few verses listed below show that this is what is expected of His true followers.
Matthew 11:29 – Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
Matthew 23:11-12 – But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted.
Mark 9:35 – And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all.
Luke 16:13 – No servant can serve two masters: (double minded) for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (You cannot serve your lusts and be led of the Spirit at the same time.)
Romans 12:10, 16 – Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; …..Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things (being lofty minded), but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Ephesians 4:1-3 – I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Philippians 2:3-4 – Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on (caring for) his own things, but every man also (caring) on the things of others.
1 Peter 5:5-6 – Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time:
These scriptures obviously show us that it is the LORD’s will for His followers to be humble servants and not self-exalted elitists that look down on others; because being such does not represent the character and nature of our LORD Jesus Christ which is to be formed in us.
Colossians 1:26-27 – even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints: to whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
Galatians 4:19 – My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be formed in you,
True believers are to live for Christ as His representatives in this world. Thus we are not to strive to be like this vile world, but to be separate and HOLY; as His servants; serving others with the knowledge of Him as His representatives.
1 John 3:1-3 – Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
This is quite different from some whose ministry focuses on exalting the self, “building self-esteem”, and “having your best life now”; or the “success and prosperity” doctrine that focuses attention on worldly things. They are actually preaching on being like the elite of this world, having its worldly positions and possessions. Such preaching appeals to those who have itching ears who desire to satisfy their selfish carnal nature. The apostle Paul addressed such in his writings to Timothy.
1 Timothy 4:1 – Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils;
2 Timothy 4:3-4 – For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.
1 Timothy 6:3-11 – If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; he is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
So what else is it that the LORD requires of His faithful servants?
Micah 6:8 – He hath shown thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
Romans 12:1-3 – I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.
1 John 2:15-17 – Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
The question to ask yourself is: what is your goal in life? Is your goal to serve yourself, and advance in this worldly system, as the prosperity and self-esteem preachers say; or are you going to serve the LORD JESUS CHRIST as a true child of God, in meekness and true holiness?
