What does it mean to be a servant of Christ?

Answer

In numerous instances in the New Testament, the apostle Paul identifies himself as “a servant of Jesus Christ” (e.g., Romans 1:1; Colossians 4:12; Philippians 1:1; 1 Timothy 4:6). The Lord’s half-brother Jude also describes himself in a similar manner “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:”, (Jude 1:1). Instead of emphasizing his close relationship to Jesus, Jude humbly positioned himself as a servant. Jesus’ relatives, companions, and chosen apostles identify themselves as His servants, clearly indicating that Jesus is Lord.

“Servant” is the translation of the Greek word doulos, which more literally means “a slave or bondservant, someone who relinquishes all rights of their own to serve another.” Due to the negative connotation of the word “slave” in modern times, we often opt for the term “servant” instead. However, “servant” does not fully convey the true essence of doulos. Paul declared himself a “slave” to Christ.

In ancient times, slaves were either bought or born into slavery and served their master until death or until the master chose to release them. Some slaves developed such a deep and affectionate bond with the master’s family that they willingly continued to serve even when they had the option to be free. This is the concept that Paul and others were expressing when they identified themselves as servants of Christ. The Lord has redeemed us at a great price “For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.”, (1 Corinthians 6:20).

Those who come to know Him desire to abandon all rights to Him and choose to serve Him faithfully (John 6:20).

A servant of Christ knows who the King is. A servant of Christ is someone who has willingly set aside their personal rights to love, serve, and obey God’s will in Christ Jesus. Servants of Christ die daily to sin and fleshly desires, allowing Christ’s life to flow through them: “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).

Being a servant of Christ means seeking His will in all things. Our main desire every day, as servants of Christ, is to honor and glorify the One who purchased our freedom from sin: “Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31). This requires us to die to ourselves: “And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me” (Luke 9:23), renounce our right to direct our own lives: “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46), and seek ways to bring pleasure to our Master (Psalm 37:23;Proverbs 11:20). Just as a master in ancient times took on the responsibility of caring for his bondservants, our Lord assures us that He will provide all we need when we seek first His kingdom and His righteousness (Matthew 6:33).

Philippians+4%3A19″>(Matthew 6:33; Philippians 4:19).

Our Master, Jesus, has given us instructions in His Word and expects those who profess His name to know them. As we learn more, we do better. Servants of Christ put into practice all they learn about pleasing their Lord. While He has specific jobs for each of us according to the gifts and opportunities He provides, some requirements are universal for anyone called to be a servant of Christ:

• Continue in faith.

• Destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God.

• Take every thought captive to obey Christ «casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; », (2 Corinthians 10:5).

• Pursue holy living (1 Peter 1:14-16).

• Daily crucify the lusts of the flesh (Romans 6:1-6).

• Love brothers and sisters in the faith (1 John 3:14-15).

• Store up treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20).

• Eagerly await the Master’s return (Revelation 22:20; 2 Timothy 4:8).

Servants of Christ do their work humbly and selflessly, desiring only to please their benevolent Master. There’s no pretension, no self-importance, no compensation-seeking in true servanthood. Jesus reminds us of the lowly place a servant occupies: “You also, when you have done all that you were commanded, say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done what was

Our duty’” «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. », (Luke 17:10, ESV).

Servants of Christ view their lives on earth as a brief time of preparation for eternity. The challenges and hardships we encounter while in the flesh will be far surpassed by the glory and reward awaiting us «For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; », (2 Corinthians 4:17). Just as a servant who loves his master lives for the master’s approval, so servants of Christ live for the moment He will say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Master!” «His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. », (Matthew 25:21,23) «His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord. », (Matthew 25:21,23)