“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45
Being a servant in our world means being suppressed, even trod-upon. But in the Biblical context, it takes on a totally different meaning: one of freedom and devotion. It describes those who are more like Jesus.
The quality that so completely characterized the life of Jesus was the quality of His unselfish servant-hood. The Apostle Paul added to this focus when he wrote, “In humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others” (Philippians 2:3-4). Pointing to the Savior as our great example, he quickly added, “You should have the same attitude toward one another that Christ Jesus had.”
If we, as Christians, are going to grow and mature into Christ-like character, we must experience progress in giving of ourselves in ministry to and for others. Servant living stands opposed to the primary concerns we see today — where the focus of our culture and society is more on our own personal happiness and comfort.
The preoccupation with self today is readily seen in slogans like, “Be all you can be.” Simply put, our modern day society (and this includes a great number of Christians) is focused on making satisfaction its goal.
Pleasing God is more important than self-fulfillment.
We must be careful to not take the focus off what is truly at the heart of Christianity: knowing and loving God. Out of that resource and relationship, we are able to live as servants in the power of the Spirit, according to the example of Christ.
Lord, may I decrease so that You may increase. Help me to back away from the standards and trends of the world and become more like You. Amen.
By John Grant
Used by Permission
John Grant is a former Florida State Senator and is a practicing attorney
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