We are called to be servants of Jesus Christ and stewards of the gospel. “If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him. ” John 12:26
A servant of Jesus Christ is a faithful follower who dutifully serves him. What did Jesus mean by serve? It means to perform our duties. In other words, the Lord expects us to perform our responsibilities as his disciples that are set out in scriptures according to our own individual gifts and calling.
Since each of us are different and have been given different mandates according to the will of God then we must be faithful to perform all the directives he has given to each of us personally as well as corporately.
A steward is a caretaker of another’s property. Since we are not our own but bought with a price, redeemed by the Lord, all he has given to us, whether; family, friends, church, business, and other responsibilities, belong to him.
Therefore, he expects us to treat those responsibilities as an extension of his grace to us and be good stewards for him in those gifts of grace. ” As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” 1 Peter 4:10
Nowadays this is not a popular message even among Christians because the natural minded person wants to live for themselves and follow after their own path. The carnal nature desires things that bring comfort and glory to the flesh which in reality is basically selfish motivation.
Quite the contrary, Jesus said that if we want to be considered a spiritual giant in his kingdom then we must be willing to be last, hidden, and sometimes even get no thanks for the performance for our duties. When we submit to the plan of God in this life we are in effect laying up treasures in the next life.
“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. ” Colossians 3:23,24
“The greatest among you shall be your servant.” Matthew 23:11
“For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Jesus Christ. ” Galatians 1:10
The only real freedom is to be IN Jesus Christ and be found having his righteousness, not our own. Our plans needs to be in line with Jesus’ plan for our lives which always have as a central theme the extension of his glorious kingdom.
We are called as good stewards to be hid in Jesus Christ and not going about doing our own thing. We are not our own scriptures tell us ! We have been bought with a price!
The servant and steward have been given Jesus Christ’s authority to fulfill all his will, not our will. The Lord’s agenda must be our agenda! The Lord’s will must be our will!
As good stewards of the kingdom of God we are called to glorify God in all that we do!
Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. ” John 4:23
Are you ready to make Jesus Christ your King today?
“Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. ” Philippians 2:6,7
Powerful!
Amen.