April 9, 2012
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Selfish "Servants"
Here is something that I have trouble understanding. As I observe some people who call themselves Christians, I see that their focus seems to be more on using God then on letting Him use them. They want the blessings that come with being a child of God, but they still want to have control. Instead of serving, they expect to be served. I don't get it. It makes me wonder if they have opened their Bible and done any reading or studying.(Col 1:10 NLT) Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better.
Often I see the word "servant" in the Bible. I also see the term "bondservant." James referred to himself as a bondservant in James 1:1. Peter also called himself a bondservant. This comes from the word dulos and is defined as a slave, or one in a servile condition. The best definition I found was - “devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interests.” A bondservant is one who follows their master with a total disregard for their own will, emotions, or desires.
I feel this is what a Christian is all about. We call Jesus "Lord." To me, that means He is to be the one in control. It means I serve Him. It means I wait on Him to speak to me of what He would have me do, and then I do it. With joy. No arguments. No negotiating. No whining. (Yeah, I am working on that!) I do it, because I am committed to Him. I belong to Him now. I used to be a slave to sin, but Jesus bought and paid for me with His blood, and now I serve Him. What's more, I love Him! I am devoted to Him, and am so incredibly grateful for all He has done for me. I WANT to please Him. That's what love does, and I love Him.
So much of society these days is about pleasing ourselves. We "deserve" it. Blah, blah, blah. If someone chooses that road, it is certainly their right to choose it, but oh, how I wish they would not call Jesus Lord as they serve only themselves! I wish they would not tell people they are a Christian at all if they are going to display their judgmental, religious, selfish, unloving attitudes. Don't they realize they may be responsible for ruining God's reputation in someone's eyes?
I have heard people say, "Well, if THAT is what it means to be a Christian, I want none of it." How sad that is. I am so grieved at how the actions of selfish "Christians" have left a bad taste for God in the mouths of the world. SO MANY people have been hurt and turned off to church and Jesus by the actions of thoughtless, uncommitted believers. I cringe sometimes when I read about some of the actions of people who claim to be my brothers and sisters. They claim to serve the same God I serve, yet it seems like pleasing Him, loving others and obeying His word is not important to them at all.
(Mat. 7:20-21 NLT) Yes, just as you can identify a tree by its fruit, so you can identify people by their actions. "Not everyone who calls out to Me, 'Lord! Lord!' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Only those who actually do the will of My Father in heaven will enter.
It can't be any plainer that that. If He isn't Lord OF ALL, He isn't Lord AT ALL.
Comments (9)
Thanks for this Mae. It is good reminder for me today
Real good to read this. I can be selfish at times and forget that I am NOT in control of planning out my life. I get scared of over committing to serve, or plan because what if something else comes up. I like "plans" and I also like when they follow through. But being married to the man I am has greatly helped me be flexible in many different area's and I am grateful that I am learning to "let go" of my control on things.
Sadly, I too see many many Christians who expect to be served and I guess I get gun shy around them because I have allowed them to ask more of me then I was able to give, then in turn I kind of desire to disappear from their lives because they have worn me out, and I have allowed it.
I like this.......
They claim to serve the same God I serve, yet it seems like pleasing Him, loving others and obeying His word is not important to them at all.
Powerful. I stopped by on a recommendation and am glad I did... blessings to you today..
i plead guilty, as charged.
I am also saddened and frustrated by the prominence of selfishness among those who align themselves with the christian community. In our post-modern world commitment and devotion have become novel and rare ideas. It is hard to even lead people to the serious study of His Word. Thank you for the post, Doll!
Good Morning, Mae. My instincts here are a little mixed, I guess. This is an easy post to confirm and approve of and I do, but my experience has been balanced.
For example, we were both born again on the same day--Feb. 13, 1965. We both started in church serving from the beginning and always served during our 20 moves in 40 years. Later in life, we took our MIL and Aunt (sisters) into our home for 5 years until they passed away--to me that was serving the Lord.
After the Lord taught me financial prudence via my wife, our days of awful poverty gave way to our needs being met with some wants allowed---like going to Hawaii, Starbucks, electronic gadgets, etc. In my view, God has been a wonderful Provider Generally, Healthcare Provider, Recreation provider, etc. He even gave us our retirement home--an inheritance months before I was forced to retire.
We have supported churches, missionaries, chaplaincies, etc. My wife has also been generous with hurting relatives.,
I am also in awe of all that Christ did on the cross for me/us.--Colossians 2 is just staggering in what it teaches.
I am very aware, that many Christians around the world in in awful situations--prison and death with constant persecution. I cannot explain the ways of God--it is inexplicable.
I found that 20% of the members of a church do all of the work and financial giving. I just think that is the way it is supposed to be. Some of the 80% will one day serve after they have been under good teaching. i have been an elder several times and they often complained that the other church goers were not doing their part--criticism them for being uncaring. I just could not do that.
Anyway, I agree with you--everyone should be stepping up to the plate to serve our precious Lord Jesus Christ. I am not a great example. I know that, but I am not trying to influence church goers on my site, but those who used to go to church and got hurt.
blessings,
frank
@ANVRSADDAY - I don't want to put a guilt trip on anyone. I think we all should serve in whatever capacity we are able. But, in all we do, I feel the Lord should be first instead of last, as He so often is. Polls have been taken that show Christians do not regularly read the Bible or pray. We are addicted to being mediocre!
did God let me be an instrument of their Love.
I think we are mediocre because it's easy. I want to be a worker for the Lord!
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