The Servant's Response!

"If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross." Php 2:1-8 KJV

Definition of servant: One who serves, or does services, voluntarily or on compulsion; a person who is employed by another for menial offices, or for other labor, and is subject to his command; a person who labors or exerts himself for the benefit of another, his master or employer; a subordinate helper. (Webster 1913)

1. One who is privately employed to perform domestic services.

2. One who is publicly employed to perform services, as for a government.

3. One who expresses submission, recognizance, or debt to another: (Free Dictionary Online)

In a world where the mantra is "Every man for himself and the Devil take the hindmost" it is difficult to understand the concept of servanthood as exemplified in th Scriptures. Servanthood as exemplified by Christ demonstrates a concept of servanthood that is foreign to the majority of the modern world. Yet it is this same concept of servanthood that God expects to be manifested in us and demonstrated by us. He says, "Let this mind be in you..."

What mind?

1. A mind of love and accord. Php 2:2

2. A mind absent of self conceit and contention Php 2:3

3. A mind of modesty and humbleness Php 2:3

4. A mind that empowers the brethren and seek after their good Php 2:4

Looking at the attitude and response of Jesus while on earth as a human gives us a very clear picture of what God expects of us as servants. And He says, "Let this mind be in you...!!!"

It's why we are exhorted later on to... "Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain." Php 2:14-16 KJV

Therefore do what you are required to do without grumbling, complaining, or debate! In so doing you do it as unto the Lord and not unto man! Do not make an issue of it. Just do it!

Remember...

1. SERVANTS DO NOT EXHIBIT A SUPERIOR AND HAUGHTY ATTITUDE

"But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. 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." Luk 17:7-10 KJV

2. SERVANTS WHO THINK HIGHLY OF THEMSELVES ARE LIKE TARES AMONG THE WHEAT!

"Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn." Mat 13:24-30 KJV