We are Not our Own
The expression, “I’m a self-made man” is one that is said with pride. A popular poem ends with these lines: “I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul.” As Christians, however, we are neither self-made nor are we the masters of our destiny. We are not our own; we have been bought with a price and belong to another. “Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men.” (1 Cor. 7:23). God has purchased us for His glory; He has saved us for His purposes. We are not to receive “the grace of God in vain” (2 Cor. 6:1). In this verse the Apostle Paul reminds us that we are His ministers and He has a service in view for us. As we wait and watch for Christ’s return, we are not to be idle—we are His servants. “Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching” (Luke 12:37).
Bondmen of Jesus Christ
We cannot serve God unless we first yield ourselves in obedience to Him. “Know ye not that to whom ye yield yourselves bondmen for obedience, ye are bondmen to him whom ye obey, whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?” (Rom. 6:16 JND). This begins with our salvation but does not end there. “Having got your freedom from sin, and having become bondmen to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness” (Rom. 6:22 JnD). We have a new Master. Paul, Timothy, James, Peter, and Jude are all described as bondman of Jesus Christ. The word bondman means slave. This word, however, is shrouded in such negative connotations (and justly so) that it may be difficult for us to see what it means for the believer. There is no bondage or cruelty in God’s service. “My yoke is easy, and My burden is light” (Matt. 11:30). In fact, one who is the Lord’s, though he be a slave naturally, is the Lord’s freeman! And conversely, though we may be free naturally speaking, as belonging to the Lord, we are now His bondmen (1 Cor. 7:22).
God is not looking for service out of bondage or a sense of duty. This is not what it means to be a bondman of Jesus Christ. A rather remarkable parable in Luke 17 bears this out—read verses 7-10. Service must flow from our devotion to the Lord. He wants first devotion and then service. “The love of Christ constraineth us” (2 Cor. 5:14). It was Paul’s response to this love which compelled him to serve. Naturally speaking, we want to use service to show out our devotion—this places me first and Christ second. It must be the other way around. Furthermore, the Lord desires fellow workmen (2 Cor. 6:1). He wants us to be coworkers together with Him.
When we considered the subject of worship, it was noted how God seeks first worship and then service. Luke 17 reminds us of this again. The parable of the dutiful servant is immediately followed by the story of the ten lepers. Of the ten, only one expressed any interest in the Lord. Only one desired a relationship with Him. God first wants holy priests, offering up spiritual sacrifices to God (1 Pet. 2:5), and then He wants royal priests, to “shew forth the praises of Him who hath called [us] out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Pet. 2:9). The first is God-ward, the second is man-ward. But even that which is man-ward must be to the praise of the glory of God. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 5:16). If we forget to place worship before service, our worship will be empty and our service, selfish. On the other hand, the true worshipper cannot help but be a servant.
Living Sacrifices
In chapters 1 Through 8 of Romans we have the gospel of God. Chapters 9 through 11 are parenthetical and address themselves to the promises given to the Jews in light of the gospel. The 12th chapter then begins: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom. 12:1-2). God made the ultimate sacrifice for us in sending His Son to die for us. We have been recipients of His sovereign mercy. Now God desires something from us. He doesn’t want us to dedicate 10% of our lives to Him, nor even 50%; He desires 100%. He is looking for living sacrifices—not martyrs but living sacrifices, holy and acceptable unto Him. The Lord is our ultimate example. He came “not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Matt. 20:28). Jesus came to serve and to give His life. This verse in Romans 12 Says nothing about ability; it’s all about our availability.
There is a condition, however, necessary for such a sacrifice of service. The sacrifices of the Old Testament were not to be blemished. If our service is to be acceptable to God, we, too, must be holy, and separated unto Him. Just as we observed in the previous chapter, we can’t be a useful vessel to the Lord if we have not first purged ourselves from all that is dishonoring to Him (2 Tim. 2:20). This should be very searching to each one of us.
Perhaps one is thinking: Well I would serve God, if I only knew what His will was for me. If our minds are occupied by worldly interests, our vision will be clouded. Scripture says: “If therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light” (Matt. 6:22). If God’s interests are our interests, there will be no lack of direction as to service. But we can’t know those interests, if we are not in communion with Him. Moreover, we have the Holy Spirit to give us divine discernment. “Be not foolish, but understanding what is the will of the Lord” (Eph. 5:17 JND). Our intelligent service will flow from our being in proper relationship with God.
Serving the Lord
Much could be written on service; Scripture is full of admonition concerning it. As with many things, our prejudices affect our understanding. Though service may be connected with gift, its application in the Word of God is more general than this: “By love serve one another” (Gal. 5:13). Does this require a gift? Paul wrote of the household of Stephanas: “They have devoted themselves to the saints for service” (1 Cor. 16:15 JND). Cannot we also fulfill this service? We make the mistake of always looking for some great thing in service. Service begins with the mundane and ordinary.
Service may be divided into that which is internal to the family of God and that which is external. Regardless, it is all service to the Lord: “Whatsoever ye do, labor at it heartily, as doing it to the Lord, and not to men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance; ye serve the Lord Christ” (Col 3:23-24 JND). The Lord Jesus Christ must be our motivation for service. All we do should be done as if it is for Him.
In Paul’s first letter to Timothy he gives us the qualifications for those desiring to serve in the house of God (1 Tim. 3:8-13). In the Authorized Version the word servant is translated in these verses as deacon. Unfortunately, this has become a title—it is used as a badge of honor. Certainly there is nothing dishonoring about serving the Lord, but to use deacon as a title puts the focus on me and not the Lord. Deacon is a Greek word meaning servant; for that matter, it could be translated waiter! In chapter six of Acts we find seven men chosen to do just that—to wait tables. While this may seem menial, such service is pleasing to God. Furthermore, “those who shall have ministered [served] well obtain for themselves a good degree, and much boldness in faith which is in Christ Jesus” (1 Tim. 3:13 JnD). Stephen, who so boldly testified before the Sanhedrin (Acts 6:12) and who became the first martyr (Acts 7:60), was one of the seven! He began his ministry by waiting on widows. Greatness, in Christian service, has little to do with the task undertaken; it has everything to do with the One whom we serve.
Our service outside of the family of God is rendered both in our daily occupations and also in the gospel. As to our occupation, we are to be obedient and diligent, “not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men” (Eph. 6:6-7). A very similar admonition may be found in Paul’s letter to the Colossians (Col. 3:22-24). We may not be indentured servants in the same sense; nevertheless, for the term of our employment we have an obligation to those for whom we work. Such conduct has a greater good in view: “Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and His doctrine be not blasphemed” (1 Tim. 6:1). In the book of Titus, where we especially have our conduct before the world addressed, Paul writes: “Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things” (Titus 2:10). Our service in this world should be the practical, outward adornment of the doctrine of a Savior God. Again, we see how doctrine, far from being dry and abstract, is the divine instruction that determines our outward conduct. If the world cannot see something of Christ in our practical labors, why would they listen to us when we speak of the gospel?
At the end of the Gospel of Luke we have what is commonly called the Great Commission: “Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:46-47). The word mission has taken on a meaning of its own; nevertheless, the concept is quite simple. Mission derives from the Latin verb to send. Just prior to His ascension, Christ sent His disciples out into this world to preach repentance and the remission of sins. The basis of the message is the death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ; the authority is Christ Himself—it is “in His name”—and the sphere, “among all nations.” The Apostle Paul received his commission, not from the Lord while He was on earth, but from Christ in glory (Acts 26:16-17); the substance of its message was the same, though its character was uniquely Pauline.
In considering this commission, the question naturally arises: Does it apply to me? We do not claim to be chosen vessels, at least not in the sense that Paul was. But does this exclude or excuse us? We don’t have to look far to find the answer. Paul in writing to Timothy says: “Do the work of an evangelist” (2 Tim. 4:5). We may not have the gift of evangelism, but we can do the work of an evangelist. I can understand why Timothy needed this exhortation. We know something of his timid nature, and by this time, Paul’s gospel and doctrine were far from being popular. Naturally speaking, we don’t like being the bearers of an unpopular message. Most of us don’t take rejection well at all. We are, however, living in a world that rejected and crucified the Lord of glory; we should not expect better treatment (John 15:20).
There is one more thing connected with the giving of the Great Commission. The disciples were commanded to remain in Jerusalem until they were “endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). They were to wait for the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. They could not carry out this commission without power from God, and we cannot either. Perhaps we may feel it all too keenly, but we have no power in ourselves to do the work of an evangelist. The Holy Spirit, however, has not changed!
Paul could say: “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth” (Rom. 1:16). If we knew just a little of that power, and if we viewed lost souls as God views them, and loved them as He loves them, we would not be so reticent to share the gospel. When the lepers, in the days of Elisha, discovered the camp of the Syrians abandoned along with all their food, clothing, and money, they said: “We do not well: this day is a day of good tidings, and we hold our peace” (2 Kings 7:9). Do we truly comprehend the power of the glad tidings to save? If so, then why do we hold our peace? When it is refused, who are the foolish ones? We need not fear to look foolish.
Gift
So far, we have seen a little of what Scripture has to say concerning our service without any regard to gift. We each, however, have received a gift. What are we doing with it? Is it languishing unused? When things are popular and there is a response to our service, we don’t need much prompting to exercise our gift. When things are not going so well, that is when we like to give up. It is at these times when gift is most needed. This is exactly what we find in Paul’s second letter to Timothy. Paul was in prison and all of Asia had turned away from him; things seemed quite hopeless. And yet Paul writes: “I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee” (2 Tim. 1:6). Peter likewise wrote in a day when Christians were suffering; his exhortation was similar: “As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God” (1 Pet. 4:10). If we serve men, then giving up when all seems hopeless might be the logical thing to do. If, however, our service is to God, then clearly it only matters how He perceives it.
The Greek word for gift is charisma. This word is probably recognizable, both in itself and as the root of the word charismatic. As these words hint, Christendom has sadly misused gift contrary to the plain teaching of the Word of God. We are not to make much of gift. There were miraculous gifts—speaking in tongues and healing—but gifts for edification, exhortation, and comfort are superior and are to be desired over and above the sign gifts (1 Cor. 12:31; 14:3). Christ has given gifts to His church during His absence, “for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ” (Eph. 4:12). Gift is not about exalting man, or even the Spirit of God—it’s about edifying the church and exalting Christ: “That God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ” (1 Pet. 4:11).
A common mistake is to confound ability with gift. I would suggest that natural ability is a poor guide as to gift. Surely this was Moses’ mistake. He was not an eloquent man and he was quite convinced that he would be unable to fulfill the service that God had plainly called him to do. Very often God must use our weaknesses to accomplish His ends. Gideon had to learn this: “The people that are with thee are too many for Me to give the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel vaunt themselves against Me, saying, mine own hand hath saved me” (Judg. 7:2). Zerubbabel, at the reconstruction of the temple, also had to learn it: “Not by might, nor by power, but by My spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts” (Zech. 4:6). Paul wrote concerning himself: “My grace is sufficient for thee: My strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9).
Though ability is not gift, God does give gifts according to ability, as the following verse bears out: “To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one; to each according to his particular ability, and immediately went away out of the country” (Matt. 25:15 JND). Moses, Zerubbabel, and Paul certainly had abilities used of God. However, the key lesson to be drawn is that we do not discern our gift by looking to our abilities—that is to say, by introspection. The danger of reasoning backwards from our ability to gift is that we will become involved in that which is dishonoring to God. Unfortunately, many Christians have been caught up in this world’s entertainment industry (as just one example) because they have fallen snare to this.
If we are truly occupied with Christ and His work, the Spirit of God will lay a burden on our hearts that we alone can undertake. A verse in Galatians speaks to this: “Every man shall bear his own burden” (Gal. 6:5). The burden, as spoken of here, is our God-given work (see verse 4). If we are sensitive to the prompting of the Holy Spirit, we will find this work so compelling that it will not be optional. We can be sure that God has uniquely fitted us for His work and given us the gift to accomplish it.
Finally, we do not call ourselves, and we do not look for the calling of others; it must be a work of the Spirit of God: “As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate Me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them” (Acts 13:2). In no way does this mean that we should be indifferent to what our brethren have to say. One truly seeking to do the service of the Lord will desire the fellowship of his or her brethren. There will be nothing secretive in their efforts. Independence of spirit implies the will is at work. To ignore the advice and concerns of others, likewise, serves to prove that the will is very much active. After being instructed by the Holy Spirit, the brethren laid their hands on Saul and Barnabas and sent them on their way (Acts 13:3). The laying on of hands did not confer upon them their ministry; rather, it was a sign of fellowship in that ministry.
Hindrances to Service
The greatest hindrance to service is self. Our first mistake is to suppose that we can serve in our own strength. We might move forward when we shouldn’t or we may hold back. In fact, as we have already observed, God seeks out weak people through whom He can display His power: “There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many?” (John 6:99There is a lad here, which hath five barley loaves, and two small fishes: but what are they among so many? (John 6:9)). If He uses me, it is a great honor; If He lays me by because self was elated, it is a great mercy. He is saying, as it were, “Be satisfied with Myself, be content to know I love thee.” Are you content with His love? The secret of all service is the due appreciation of the Master's grace.
Service is not self-serving. We do not serve to be liked or admired. Service expects nothing in return. We do not manipulate people through service; we must serve with the attitude that the ones we serve owe us nothing. Service is not to further our goals. In this world, service is often viewed as a win-win situation. We even have a popular saying for it! if you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours. This is not Christian service.
The spirit of competition has no place in service: “They measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise” (2 Cor. 10:12). If we are to compete in anything, it is in showing honor one to another: “as to honor, each taking the lead in paying it to the other” (Rom. 12:10 JND). “Let nothing be in the spirit of strife or vain glory, but, in lowliness of mind, each esteeming the other as more excellent than themselves” (Phil. 2:3 JnD).
This expression, “lowliness of mind,” occurs five times in Scripture (Acts 20:19; Eph. 4:2; Phil. 2:3; Col. 3:12; 1 Pet. 5:5). But when it becomes self-occupation, it takes on the false character of religious asceticism. This is addressed in the second chapter of Colossians (Col. 2:23). Such behavior may satisfy the flesh, and appear of merit before man, but it brings no pleasure to God. Lowliness is not having a low opinion of one’s self, but rather, it’s forfeiting all rights and place. We do not teach ourselves lowliness or humility. True humility is only to be found in the presence of God. “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up” (James 4:10). If we want to be like Christ, then we must first learn what we are in Christ. “Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls” (Matt. 11:29).
We cannot serve beyond the measure of faith given to us: “For I say, through the grace which has been given to me, to every one that is among you, not to have high thoughts above what he should think; but to think so as to be wise, as God has dealt to each a measure of faith” (Rom. 12:3 JnD). We cannot use this verse as an excuse to avoid service; rather, it speaks of one who oversteps their service, going beyond what God has given them. “Whether it be prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; or service, let us occupy ourselves in service; or he that teaches, in teaching; or he that exhorts, in exhortation; he that gives, in simplicity; he that leads, with diligence; he that shows mercy, with cheerfulness” (Rom. 12:6-8 JND). The prophet does not aspire to be a teacher, nor can the teacher replace one who exhorts. All are needed; each has a unique place. There can be no room for envy or jealousy. Where we find envy we will discover the veracity of the verse: “Where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work” (James 3:16). To make service about honor and preeminence is to make it self-serving.
Service is not to take the form of condescension or patronage. “Have the same respect one for another, not minding high things, but going along with the lowly: be not wise in your own eyes” (Rom. 12:16 JND). To know how to walk with the lowly, and be unnoticed in doing so, is truly a remarkable gift. The Pope may wash the feet of others; nevertheless, all the world knows it, and he receives accolades for doing so. “He that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve” (Luke 22:26). Unselfish love has one outlet—service! Moreover, it is a service that does not desire to be noticed.
Before we leave this subject, we must touch upon discouragement. Like it or not, discouragement is just another form of self getting in the way. When we don’t see the results we are looking for, we get discouraged. Discouragement has turned aside, or adversely affected, many true servants of God. Elijah comes to mind; Timothy is another. On the other hand, how do we suppose Noah felt? He preached all those years while he labored to build the ark, and in the end, only eight souls were saved. And yet, if he had gotten discouraged and had given up, none would have been saved!
Things to Consider
We are not our own; we have been purchased with a price.
We have a new Master; we are bondmen of Jesus Christ.
God is not asking for martyrdom, but He does want us to be a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to Him.
Service must flow from devotion; naturally speaking, we like to show our devotion through dutiful service.
We cannot know God’s will if we have divided affections.
We can only know His will if we are in communion with Him.
All of our service should be done as to the Lord.
We can do the work of an evangelist, even though we may not have the gift of evangelism.
Ability is not gift; gift is given, however, according to ability.
Our greatest hindrance to service is self.
The spirit of competition or jealousy has no place in service.
Service is not about honor or preeminence.
We are not to serve beyond the measure of faith given us.
Service is not to be condescending or patronizing; such affectation is neither kindness nor love.
Discouragement is just another way self hinders service.