A Life of Servitude
Wisdom comes from understanding your role as servant of the LORD. But, what is to be a servant? Is it required? What are the benefits to serve? What relationship does it have with the law, love and lordship?
Your freedom of choice and belief allows you to be the only person who can define you. But, your actions define who you really are. Having an attitude of servitude is how you show who your LORD really is. If you are seeking an opportunity for fulfillment and a life of purpose, nothing compares to serving others.
The Way We Were Built
Nature declares the glory of the LORD and speaks of the work of His hands.
“The heavens declare the glory of God,
the dome of the sky speaks the work of his hands.”
Psalm 19:1
As you probably know we were created by the hands of ELOHIM (The LORD) from the dust of the earth and therefore we have in ourselves the same elements found on the ground. We must pay attention to how nature understands servitude:
The sun doesn’t give light for itself. The earth doesn’t spin for itself. The vegetation doesn’t consume the air they produce, etc.
We have a part of nature in ourselves and nature is a part of us. What separates us from the rest of nature is the spirit that was given to us by the LORD. We must realize that if you only breathe the CO2, that comes out of your mouth, you will die. Likewise, we are to understand that we were built to serve others.
Serving is a Must
If you don’t serve, you don’t serve. But, why must we serve? Serving will give you more joy, a longer life, connections, opportunities, humility, purpose and a lot more. It will reduce your stress, it will allow you to use and build-up your gifts, it will take the focus off of you, it will help you with anxiety, it will advance the Kingdom of the LORD, it will make a difference in another person’s life, it will show who you follow and it is the way to live exemplified by Yeshua.
If you don’t serve, you don’t serve.
The Bible Says a Lot About Serving Others
Scriptures are filled with instructions, examples and descriptions of people who understood the purpose of life and understood the ordinance to serve one another.
“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace”
1 Peter 4:10
This verse gives us the instruction of what to do with our gifts and what a “good steward” does to manage this new life in light of this new understanding.
“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Yeshua, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”
Acts 20:35
This verse, usually misinterpreted and used as a tool to manipulate people to give money to religious organizations is really about the consequences of a life of servitude. When you place others before yourself you are blessed.
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
Galatians 5:13-14
Please note what the verse above is saying: “You were called to freedom,” “through love serve one another” and “love your neighbor as yourself.” It seems clear to me that love -in the opinion of the Bible – is a conduit through which we do things for other people. Could an attitude of servitude be evidence of this type of love? I believe so.
“When he had washed their feet and put on his outer garments and resumed his place, he said to them, “Do you understand what I have done to you? You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet.”
John 13:12-14
The same hands that created mankind, the same person that brought the universe into existence, gave us the ultimate example of servitude. The exemple to be followed.
“Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”
Matthew 20:28
Yeshua came to serve. To set the example for us. You must make a conscious decision to do what He did and avoid doing what He did not do.
“And he sat down and called the twelve. And he said to them, “If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all.”
Mark 9:35
Do you want to be first? Now, you know what to do.
“Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
Luke 6:38
This verse is usually capitalized by people trying to raise money for one reason or another. But, in context, it is talking about serving one another.
“For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.”
1 Corinthians 9:19
The apostles and disciples understood that being a servant is the only way to be. They understood with their example of a changed life. A life without the gospel of me, without pride. And a life that represented the person they followed.
Conclusion
Recently on one of our Shabbat services we talked about our favorite verses in Scriptures, and some of us – including myself – talked about Romans 8:1 that says:
“Therefore, there is no longer any condemnation awaiting those who are in union with the Messiah Yeshua.”
Romans 8:1
Indeed, it is a blessing that we are not condemned for our shortcomings, mistakes and slowness to act. With that said, it is important to stop excusing our complacency and act upon new learnings. Once you read what Scriptures are telling you to do, and you understand what it is telling you to do, it’s time to do it. Apply it in small actions and build a habit of living a different life in accordance to what you read and who you say you follow.
At least twenty times, Yeshua said “Follow me.” This was an invitation to ignore the noises of this world and put into practice the Way, Truth and Life that can Only be found in Him. “Follow me” means follow Messiah Yeshua HaMashiach and His example.
Scriptures are not entertainment. You must not walk away from a new understanding thinking that there are no consequences. So, make a habit to serve someone everyday in some way and through your actions show who you follow.
Shalom!
Rabbi Douglas