Welcome!
Today: Servant-by choice!
Passage: 1 Corinthians 4, Prov 28
1 So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. (1 Cor 4, NIV 84)
Apostle Paul chose to be a servant of Christ, whom he was once persecuting
We see the term “servant” in the Old Testament, in various places. Eliezer, the faithful servant of Abraham, would have been Abraham’s heir if Abraham had no children. The title “servant” was lesser than son’s, but more than a slave’s
As a servant of Christ, Apostle Paul had made himself subject to Christ
Elsewhere, Paul calls himself a servant of the gospel
Paul accepts what God judges about him, even as he may look good to himself!
Paul does not give himself a “good” or “excellent”; he leaves that to God!
Any child of God who preaches the word of God should treat the word as his/her master. Preachers of the word are not expected to change/manipulate the word of God, but are to “rightly divide (not divert) the word”.
The word of God is our authority under which the preacher should stand!
When someone reads /says the word, it has power; satan is afraid of God’s word
Jesus said:
63 The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit[e] and they are life. (John 6, NIV 84)
We can please the devil, by not reading and not proclaiming the word of God
7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. (2 Tim 4, NIV 84)
There is no higher privilege than being a servant of God, in this earthly life. We proudly speak about our profession/ workplace. How proud are we, about God?
Choose to be a servant of God and His word?
May God bless you!
BG
Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank you for your work on the cross, and your word. Help me to be a faithful servant of yours. Amen
Proverbs for today: Proverbs 28 (verses from NIV 84)
1 The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
11 A rich man may be wise in his own eyes, but a poor man who has discernment sees through him.
13 He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
20 A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.
23 He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favor than he who has a flattering tongue.
27 He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses.