Be a Servant

Being a Servant

The Greek word for servant is doulos, pronounced doo’-los. This word is the same as slave. It is to be under the rule or authority of someone else.

In our present society, the use of the word slave never carries a positive meaning. We have done all we can to eradicate slavery, promote equality, and convince everyone that they deserve the best of the best. 

But I would like to take you back to Scripture. 

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

Paul is the author of this book, the letter to the Romans. In Philippians 1:1 and Titus 1:1, Paul refers to himself as a servant. Then, in Philemon verse 1, he calls himself a prisoner of Jesus. 

Paul was not a prideful man who sought position or prestige. 

He penned half the New Testament, had a miraculous encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, spent three years in the desert with Jesus, performed many miracles, preached the gospel to untold thousands, memorized the Pentateuch, started several churches, and suffered more persecution than we can imagine. He had quite a resumè. Still, he refers to himself as a servant. God didn’t call him that, he called himself a servant. He was not ashamed to be thought of this way. He sought to live by God’s will rather than his own. If anyone had something to boast about, it was Paul. 

Being a servant takes humility. We know this from the life of Christ, Paul, David, and others. 

Pride will never let you be a servant. Pride will keep score of anything you have done for others versus what they have done in return. 

This verse really hit home for me. Even though I have read it dozens of times, this time, the Lord really spoke to me. 

As most of you know, I am a wife and a homeschool mom. These are my top two earthly priorities. Being a godly wife, mom, and homemaker all require you to be a servant. If you do not accept this and choose to serve the Lord through serving your family, things will always be out of balance. You will keep account of how many times you have picked up toys and laundry off the floor, how many times your husband didn’t take out the trash, etc. This is a miserable way to live. 

Now, I am not saying that everyone must find joy in cleaning in order to be a good, godly woman. You don’t have to enjoy these things. But you can do them joyfully, as unto the Lord. 

I am also a waitress three nights per week. This is a good definition of being a servant, isn’t it?

If I were to walk up to a table with a bad attitude, no smile, and negative body language, I would not be a good server, nor would I be employed very long. The same applies to my home and ministry. God is not glorified and shown to others through our resentfulness. 

Anytime a guest asks for something, it is my job to get it for them. Doing this in a huff will not provide a pleasant experience for the guest during their meal, nor will it provide me with a tip when they leave. But if I do things for my family with a huff, stomping through the house, or slamming doors, that will not provide them with a pleasant environment in which to live. Just because I am not at work does not mean I am to serve any less at home. If I rolled my eyes and grumbled when asked to do something at church, that would not provoke others to serve the Lord joyfully. 

Too often, we want to be asked to do big things for the Lord, yet we aren’t willing to serve in our own homes or local churches as we should. We must be faithful to the little things before we are trusted with the big things. 

Paul was called to this position of being an apostle, and he took his calling very seriously. Paul didn’t allow himself to be distracted by things that didn’t matter or by things that didn’t further the gospel. We must remember that even good things can distract us from what God has called us to do. We do not have to be involved in every ministry, outreach, program, trend, kids’ sports team, club, etc. Yes, those things can be great, but we aren’t expected to do everything all of the time. If your ministry is getting in the way of how you serve your family, it is time to reevaluate where you spend your time and energy. 

Paul was separated from his old life and unto the gospel. We could go on forever here, but the point is that leaving your old life, hobbies, and sins behind should be the beginning of the Christian life, not the end. We are to be separated from the world and sin and separated unto the gospel. Paul left his position as a persecutor and Pharisee, but he didn’t leave his zeal. He took that same passion and used it for Christ. 

Paul served willingly. He didn’t complain because of what he had to do, where he had to go, or what he had to deal with. He went wherever God led, preached the gospel to any audience he had, and addressed any issues in the churches that needed it because that was what needed to be done to keep the gospel moving forward. His focus was on the big picture of serving Christ through serving people. Paul had the view that serving God was a privilege and he wanted to do all he could in the time he had. 

At the moment of his conversion, Paul lost his job, status, and friends. He gave up everything for Jesus, and he was happy to do it. Paul spent his life encouraging others and pointing them to Jesus. He taught by example, and we must do the same. Don’t just say what Scripture says, live like you believe it.

Are you doing what God has called you to do?

Are you doing it joyfully/willingly?

Are you willing to do it sacrificially?

Serving is meeting the needs of others, helping them, and doing things for them. It may not always be enjoyable, convenient, or easy. This is probably harder for you if your love language isn’t acts of service, and that’s okay. Just be aware and ask the Lord for help so you can grow in this area. This stems from a love of people. There is no doubt that Paul loved people, and he saw them as God saw them: souls created by the God of Heaven. We must see people the way Jesus does.

Paul was able to live this way because he had full faith and confidence in the gospel. He knew he was not wasting his time and energy. Romans 1:16-17 says, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”

 We often don’t share Jesus like we should because we have weak faith. We will never share something we doubt. 

Stay in the Word, stay close to the Shepherd, and let Him lead you in paths of righteousness.

With Hope in His Service,

Heather