“Jesus, Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers…” (Eph. 4:11) So, what is the best position we can have in the Church? Let’s look at what some of the great one’s of God said, Jesus said, “the Son of Man did not come to be served, but TO SERVE…” (Matt. 20:28) “Paul, A BONDSERVANT (doulos: a call to become a slave of Jesus) of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle…” (Rom. 1:1) “James, a BONDSERVANT of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ…” (James 1:1) “Simon Peter, a BONDSERVANT and apostle of Jesus Christ…” (2 Peter 1:1) “Jude, a BONDSERVANT of Jesus Christ, and brother of James…” (Jude 1:1) Each of these great leaders acknowledge they are first of all, slaves of Jesus Christ.
Paul said this about his calling, “…do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would NOT BE A BONDSERVANT of Christ. But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through THE REVELATION OF JESUS CHRIST…when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia (to pray and seek the Lord), and returned again to Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days…” (Gal. 1:10-12, 15-18)
When we serve Jesus we need to remember the second part of the Great commandment, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.” (Matt. 22:39) Keep this in mind as you remember the “New Commandment” “A new commandment I give to you, that you LOVE ONE ANOTHER; AS I HAVE LOVED YOU, that you also love one another. By this ALL WILL KNOW that YOU ARE MY DISCIPLES, if you have love for one another.” (John 13:34-35)
-Bill Stockham