God's Servant

We read in the opening verse of several books in the New Testament the writer's statement that he is a servant of Jesus Christ. Listed below are some examples of this fact:

Jude 1:1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and called:

2 Peter 1:1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:

James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,

Philippians 1:1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:

Let us consider several things about the servant and his life as found in the Holy Scripture.

God's Servant

1. A servant is a purchased possession - Acts 20:28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. 1 Cor. 7:23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. Eph. 1:14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
2. A servant serves his master well: a) willingly - 2 Cor. 8:12 For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. b) obediently - Eph 6:5 Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; c) diligently or heartily - Col. 3:23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; d) honorably - 1 Tim. 6:1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. e) peaceably - 2 Tim. 2:24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
3. A servant is rewarded for his labors - 1 Cor. 3:8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. Col. 3:24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 2 John 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Rev. 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.
4. A servant is not greater than his master - John 13:16 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him. John 15:20 Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.

My desire as a Christian is to be a servant of the Lord, hearing at the end of my life for Him these words from my Saviour, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant."

Friend, what about you???