[If you want a picture of a successful life as heaven measures it and God views it, don’t look for it in the glaring lights on Broadway. Don’t look for it in Washington, D.C., or in the United Nations. Instead, listen–for the sound of water splashing in a basin while Jesus, God Incarnate, with a humility that made angels hold their breath, washes the grime from the feet of His disciples in the upper room.]
“He who is greatest among you shall be your servant, Jesus said.” (Matt. 23:11)
[This statement shows true power, and this is absolute success in life. What do you think of when you hear the word “servant”? Do you see someone who is pathetic, without will or purpose? Someone who is bent over, crushed in spirit and lacking in self-esteem? Someone who is weary and soiled, wearing ragged, wrinkled clothes? Contrast your image with the definition of some of Christ’s devoted followers. For instance, how did the apostle Paul, the man who converted the Gentile world of his age, introduce himself?]
“Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God…” (Rom. 1:1)
[A bondservant is an owned or purchased slave, [we are “…purchased for God with Jesus blood…” (Rev. 5:9)] bound to a master as opposed to a free person. What about James, the half-brother of Jesus and a leader in the church in Jerusalem?]
“James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ…” (Jam. 1:1)
[Peter, who became a great leader in Christ’s church?]
“Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ…” (2 Pet. 1:1)
[John the Revelator, who put his pen to parchment to tell the world the things that would come upon the earth, look at his introduction of himself:]
“The Revelation of Jesus Christ…to His servant John…” (Rev. 1:1)
[Finally, how did the Lord Jesus Christ, who sits at the right hand of God, speak of Himself?]
“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, BUT TO SERVE, and to give His life a ransom for many…“ (Mark 10:45)
[Now ask yourself: How do you introduce yourself? Do you share the humility of Jesus and the saints of old? Thirty years ago it was the honor of John Hagee to sit beside Corrie ten Boom at a luncheon for their authors in Dallas, Texas. Corrie had just written the smash hit “The Hiding Place”, which was later made into a film, and she was the keynote speaker for the event. When it was time for her to come to the platform, the master of ceremonies called everyone to attention and introduced Corrie by reading from several typed pages of accolades. As she rose and began to walk to the lectern to speak, the thousands of people in attendance quickly stood and filled the auditorium with thunderous applause. No one who was there will ever forget the first sentence that came out of her mouth. “I thank you for your kind words,” she said, “but I prefer to be introduced as Corrie ten Boom, A SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST.” So, think about how you introduce yourself? Take a moment in the next few days to consider: A man wrapped up in himself makes a very small package.]
“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels that the Excellency of the power MAY BE OF GOD, and NOT OF US.” (2 Cor. 4:6-7)
Be blessed as you praise The Lord, knowing that:
WE HAVE THIS TREASURE IN EARTHEN VESSELS, THAT THE EXCELLENCY OF THE POWER MAY BE OF GOD, AND NOT OF US!
-Bill Stockham