Monday, September 11, 2006

I Am A Servant

Can you make that bold statement? Do you demonstrate it or live it? We must understand what it means to be a servant. First it means you see yourself as a servant. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 4:1, "Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God." The word he used here for servant is the Greek word huperetes which means "an underrower." "In those days, large wooden three-tiered ships called triremes were propelled by slaves chained to their oars in the hull. The slaves on the lowest tier were called "underrowers"" (John MacArthur). Paul was saying when you consider our lives we were just "underrowers -- third level galley slaves on a ship pulling our oar."

Albert Schweitzer, who was a missionary doctor (1875-1965) wrote, "One thing I know: The only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve" (Men of Integrity Vol1 No2

In understanding what it means to be a servant, you must first see yourself as one and second you must act like one. Jesus said to His disciples, "Whoever desires to be great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave" (Matthew 20:27-28).

Consider yourself a servant.

No comments: