June 19th 2022
Have You Found The Narrow Path Of Servanthood?
1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.
We need to face some slightly disturbing evidence which will indicate that most of us who are desiring the be followers of Jesus do not like to become a servant to other people. Some of us are even at times not very nice to other people when we are getting bad service at some store or restaurant. At this time in this country, you may be beaten up or even shot, if someone thinks you are ignoring them or not helping them quick enough! We see this kind of behavior in certain areas of our country, but it is not limited only to such areas. Notice the selected verse says we are to “faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.
This does not cover over our response if we really are trying to become more Christ-like every day, does it? It is more likely that you will encounter someone who is not a professing Christian now than in the past in this country. Non-Christians do not have the power of the Holy Spirit to help guide them to being of a pleasant nature toward other people. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18). Your salvation causes you (us) to be able to restrain ourselves in difficult situations. That is, if we allow the Holy Spirit to be the pilot of our daily encounters, if we can take the co-pilot position.
Jesus once told His disciples (us) that He has taken on the troubles of this world, and He offers to help us find peace in bad situations. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33). Jesus’ overcoming can be passed on to those who have the faith to see a way out of a possible bad situation.
Okay, here comes the harder part of this offer from Jesus to help us deal with this sin filled world. Jesus also told us we must not try to be the strong silent type; we must be willing/able to swallow our pride and try to hear the other person’s account. As Jesus has said, “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:26-28). Can we take on the servant attitude which Jesus modeled for us on this earth as the Son of Man?
Many of the people you will meet in this lifetime do not profess to believe in God, well that is to say not many people believe in the triune God of the Bible. Most people are suppressing the truth of the existence of the Son of Man, AKA Jesus Christ. This allows them to feel more in control of this world, as they want to have the feeling of being the in-charge entity in their life. .For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. (Romans 1:17-19).
This is the main reason so many people are willing to believe in the evolutionary theory because it allows man to be in-charge, not needing to show honor to Jesus, or any form of a god or gods! This allows them freedom to do what ever they want with their life and feel no guilt. Paul wrote to Timothy about the fact that God knows those who really believe. Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness." (2 Timothy 2:19). Timothy was setting out to be a preacher/teacher in the churches he would later work with.
Jesus told us His disciples about the difficulty of people coming to believe in Him and become His disciples. This cursed world with the help of Satan makes us see temptation of worldly pursuits look like the correct way to go. Jesus told us to, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14). It is difficult to find that narrow path, and then, to remain on it in this world.
Have you found the narrow path of servanthood? Can you walk the walk? Jesus took the lowest job of His day to show His disciples that even while He was their leader, He could also be their servant! He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." (John 13:6-8). Can you (we) become a servant to the members of Jesus’ family?
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)
Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.
We need to face some slightly disturbing evidence which will indicate that most of us who are desiring the be followers of Jesus do not like to become a servant to other people. Some of us are even at times not very nice to other people when we are getting bad service at some store or restaurant. At this time in this country, you may be beaten up or even shot, if someone thinks you are ignoring them or not helping them quick enough! We see this kind of behavior in certain areas of our country, but it is not limited only to such areas. Notice the selected verse says we are to “faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.
This does not cover over our response if we really are trying to become more Christ-like every day, does it? It is more likely that you will encounter someone who is not a professing Christian now than in the past in this country. Non-Christians do not have the power of the Holy Spirit to help guide them to being of a pleasant nature toward other people. For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Corinthians 1:18). Your salvation causes you (us) to be able to restrain ourselves in difficult situations. That is, if we allow the Holy Spirit to be the pilot of our daily encounters, if we can take the co-pilot position.
Jesus once told His disciples (us) that He has taken on the troubles of this world, and He offers to help us find peace in bad situations. I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." (John 16:33). Jesus’ overcoming can be passed on to those who have the faith to see a way out of a possible bad situation.
Okay, here comes the harder part of this offer from Jesus to help us deal with this sin filled world. Jesus also told us we must not try to be the strong silent type; we must be willing/able to swallow our pride and try to hear the other person’s account. As Jesus has said, “Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:26-28). Can we take on the servant attitude which Jesus modeled for us on this earth as the Son of Man?
Many of the people you will meet in this lifetime do not profess to believe in God, well that is to say not many people believe in the triune God of the Bible. Most people are suppressing the truth of the existence of the Son of Man, AKA Jesus Christ. This allows them to feel more in control of this world, as they want to have the feeling of being the in-charge entity in their life. .For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith." The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. (Romans 1:17-19).
This is the main reason so many people are willing to believe in the evolutionary theory because it allows man to be in-charge, not needing to show honor to Jesus, or any form of a god or gods! This allows them freedom to do what ever they want with their life and feel no guilt. Paul wrote to Timothy about the fact that God knows those who really believe. Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: "The Lord knows those who are his," and, "Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness." (2 Timothy 2:19). Timothy was setting out to be a preacher/teacher in the churches he would later work with.
Jesus told us His disciples about the difficulty of people coming to believe in Him and become His disciples. This cursed world with the help of Satan makes us see temptation of worldly pursuits look like the correct way to go. Jesus told us to, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” (Matthew 7:13-14). It is difficult to find that narrow path, and then, to remain on it in this world.
Have you found the narrow path of servanthood? Can you walk the walk? Jesus took the lowest job of His day to show His disciples that even while He was their leader, He could also be their servant! He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?" Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand." "No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet." Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me." (John 13:6-8). Can you (we) become a servant to the members of Jesus’ family?
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
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