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(Blue entries in the meditation are links; clicking on them will take you to the verse(s) in the New International Version; clicking on the other versions on that page will show the same verses in the version you selected. Occasionally links on my page are to another file of mine. On this page entries in green are the words of Scripture (NIV). If you wish to pursue your own study on issues raised or on the Scripture verses used try these links: The Online Study Library. The CBC Biblical Studies Library. An additional translation with many notes can be found at Net Bible.)
PT I
We are hearing constantly about the virtue or value of thinking of 'others' instead of self. But thinking about ways to benefit 'others' or carrying out such purposes that do benefit 'others' is not always a godly activity.
While thinking about or doing for others is not unrelated to God's values that is not the most important (decisive) issue in God's eyes. It is not doing for 'others' that tells what lies ahead in a person's future (such as heaven or hell). Don't be fooled into thinking that the doing of charitable deeds is invariably a godly activity. Thinking about or doing for others is not an activity which, as it were, has been 'pre-stamped with God's approval.' Why and for whom an act or activity is performed is vital element in God's evaluation of it. For example, the act of a criminal who gives to many charities in order to win the admiration and support of people who see the deed does not pass muster--it is not a godly act--because it was not done for God.
Even compassion for 'others' though essential (1 Corinthians 13:3) is not what makes the serving of 'others' a godly way to behave. 'Compassion' which the dictionary describes as a 'deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it' is not enough. Unbelievers can have compassion and do deeds based on the emotion--but they are not acts which please God. To use a very common expression we would say 'Only Authorized Personnel' can do deeds that please God. And who are 'authorized personnel'? Believers. People who acknowledge the God of the Bible. "Without faith it is impossible to please God..."(Hebrews 11:6)
It is the loving 'boss' of Christians who has told them how
he wants them to relate to other people. It is their positive
response to God, not even their compassion for 'others' that makes
serving 'others' godly behavior. For believers serving others
is a form of worship of God. But for unbelievers it is not so
and can't be. Why is that? Because, as the previous quote
says, "Without faith it is impossible to please God..." and "anyone who comes to him must believe that he
exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
(Hebrews 11:6)
If the issue that differentiates service to God from non-service to God is not first of all whether an individual is serving himself or serving 'others' what is the distinguishing issue? If the decisive issue is not whether an individual's regard for 'self' preëmpts or exceeds his regard for 'others' what is the decisive issue? If compassionate behavior towards 'others' is not the hallmark of the behavior that is acceptable to God what is the 'behavior' that God looks for? Acknowledgment of God by believing his word (especially about Christ and his accomplishment-1 John 5:10; Philippians 3:8-9) and doing what he wishes (obeying his commands). (Matthew 12:48-50)
Is the individual acknowledging God--him who is the Creator Redeemer God or is he denying him by worshipping any other god or supreme being (and this automatically means 'self' when no other being is recognized as being superior to 'self'
Part I of this meditation is devoted to showing how the acknowledgment of God is what is important to God. Part II shows how the acknowledgment shows up in the way a believer relates to the world and to the people in it.
And what issue is that?--whether a person knows whose world this is and acts accordingly. What is the theme that runs through the Bible? Who do you worship? Who do you consider worthy--so worthy--that the only response is to worship? Who do you look upon as the 'supreme being' if not yourself? Who do you look upon as the law-giver? That is the bottom line. The decisive issue is 'do you acknowledge God as having the power and the right to make the rules or laws for the universe and for human behavior? (Galatians 6:7-8; Ephesians 5:6; Romans 8:13; 1 Corinthians 6:9)
Of course it is important that the living God be recognized as opposed to the figment of mens' imagination. But the point that makes the issue so relevant to today when so many people do not speaks of 'gods' at all is that (as already mentioned) when nothing 'out there' is believed to be god the result is 'self' becomes 'god' (even if not fully evolved). This attitude toward 'self' manifests itself in the life style that the book of Judges in the Bible describes: "Every man did [that which was] right in his own eyes." (Judges 17:6-KJV)
Perhaps this theme or issue that is so fundamental in the Bible (and in life) can be seen more clearly in the contrast between individuals who are governed by the standards, 'rules' and 'principles' that he or she believes furthers his or her chosen life-style and the individuals who are guided and governed by the standards, the 'rules' or 'principles' that the living-God (who is not just an idea) devised and revealed in his word.' Another more abbreviated way of stating the issue is whether an individual puts 'self' (his or her own interests) in the place of God's interests. This, and not whether a person is serving himself or serving 'others', is the deciding issue. Whether one looks upon self or the Creator of the universe as 'God' is the issue that in the final judgment determines whether God/Christ recognizes a person to be a 'sheep' destined for God's inheritance or a 'goat' destined for the eternal fire. (Matthew 25:31-34,41)
This issue, this message, about who it is that an individual worships or obeys, is the backbone of Christianity. It appears in the very language, in the terms God uses in his word--terms such as 'Lord', 'Master' 'Baal'.
The term 'Lord' occurs literally thousands of times in the Bible. The idea which is always obvious or close to the surface in the many uses of the term 'Lord' is that of 'ruler', that of 'sovereignty', that of ownership and absolute control. Terms that reflect the existence of such ownership and control also appear constantly--terms such as the 'ruled', the 'subject', the 'slave', the 'servant'.
The descriptions of usages in dictionary articles on 'Lord' express the idea clearly:
"The usual Greek word for Lord (Kurios) is used in wide variety of ways extending from polite address to a superior, through subjection to the master of a house, the head of a family, or the supreme authority in a state, up to religious obedience to God... As applied to God in the OT, Lord denotes the active exercise of his power over the world and men, as the Creator and Ruler, the giver of life and death....Lord is a term expressive ...of the sovereign authority of the Most High"; "Likewise the term 'despotes', with its connotations of absolute ownership and unlimited power and its strict correlative (doulos) 'slave' is used both of God...and of Jesus... "The invocation of him as Lord is fundamental to the worship of the primitive community" (Baker's Dictionary of Theology)
Another dictionary puts it this way:
"Lord"---an early word denoting ownership; hence absolute control" and again, "Kyrios--Lord, Master "he to whom a person or thing belongs, the master, the one having disposition of men or property." (Unger's Bible Dictionary)
Here are a few quotes that indicate who/what the Lord is--The sovereign ruler of the universe who has both the power and the right to make the rules and to work wonders:
In the New International Translation the same Hebrew term that is translated 'Lord' 142 times is translated by the term 'master' 105 times. (e.g., Genesis ch. 24)
Because the Lord=master is who/what he is it is important to humble oneself before him. The law of gravity is an inanimate master that is heeded or paid attention to by most people. Most people are careful not to step out of windows 20 floors above the ground. How much more should the Creator God who is alive and created whatever laws exist be respected! This is the ever recurring theme in the Bible: the importance, the life and death importance, of recognizing and serving the Living God of the Bible.
In the New Testament the basic issue is no different. It is still and will ever be in this world, 'Who do you look upon as the living being whose thoughts, desires and purposes deserve to be considered of ultimate importance? Yourself? In the language of the New Testament that which is put in the place of God, that which competes with the God of the Bible (the Creator) for allegiance, is more often spoken of as a 'what' instead of a 'who'. The other 'god' is more often described as an inanimate 'system' or set of values such as the 'world' or 'riches'. "No-one can serve two masters," the Bible says. "Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money." (Matthew 6:24)
This truth is vividly illustrated in Jesus' parable in which there is wealthy man who has so much goods that he plans to build larger barns in which to store those goods. "And I'll say to myself, 'You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry.' But God said to him, `You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?'" Jesus sums up the teaching with this clear statement: "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich towards God." (Luke 12:19-21)
What is the crucial theme, the most important fact, that is at the core of the biblical message? Whose values and purposes are of supreme importance. Who is worthy to be worshipped and obeyed? That is the theme.
"Don't you know," says the apostle Paul, "that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey-- whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness...When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness....But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life." (Romans 6:16-18,20,22) And again, "Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods." (Galatians 4:8)
We have noted how both the Old Testament and the New Testament indicate the importance of the issue of who is looked upon as God, who is looked upon as possessing the worthiness to have his purposes--desires--will acknowledged as being of supreme importance. Now let's observe what the life and death example of Jesus says about this issue.
What is the basic issue that shows up in the thinking and behavior of Jesus? acknowledgment demonstrated through obedience.
Before looking at Jesus' example a preliminary point should be mentioned. The crucial importance of recognizing the supremacy of God's purposes--desires--will is a message that is as fundamental now as it ever was. This is God's world, this is God's creation, just as it was in the beginning. Every believer of the past, of the present, and of what future remains is as much within the orbit of the Creator's will and influence as was Jesus the Christ. But with the coming and the sacrificial death of Jesus the Christ there is an importantc change for the believer that came about. That difference is that the same relationship which exists between the Creator and his creatures is now often spoken of as being between Jesus the Christ, the Son of God and his creations and creatures. (Colossians 1:15-17) Now believers call Jesus the Christ 'Lord' as the saints in the Old Testament called Jehovah (Yahwey) Lord. (Both the Son and the Father are God--The Nicene Creed stresses this incomprehensible truth)
That Jesus the Christ is now to be honored, reverenced, with the same honor that was previously given Jehovah is stated clearly in the Gospel according to John: "Just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son [Jesus Christ] gives life to whom he is pleased to give it. Moreover, the Father judges no-one, but has entrusted all judgment to the Son, that all may honour the Son just as they honour the Father. He who does not honour the Son does not honour the Father, who sent him." (John 5:21-23)
"In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him [Jesus the Christ] from the dead." (Acts 17:30)
"Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11)
When Jesus the Christ was on earth the people recognized that he was different from wisemen and teachers who repeated the religious traditions and interpretations of the past. He was more than a wise parrot. Jesus spoke with authority. He did not just know a body of ideas as we do. He was and is the truth. He said, "I am the way and the truth and the life." (John 14:6)
What were Jesus Christ's last words to his disciples before his ascension? "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me" Because of this fact he continued with the words that the church through the ages has considered 'The Great Commission': "Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I [Jesus Christ] have commanded you." (Matthew 28:18-20)
Jesus said, "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me;" (Matthew 10:37) And again, "For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it." (Mark 8:35) And again, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters--yes, even his own life--he cannot be my disciple." (Luke 14:26)
While on earth what governed Jesus' thinking and behavior? Was it the principle of 'considering people better than himself'? No. It was considering the will of God the Father as of supreme importance. It was the same theme that was shown in the previous section to have always been the principle issue-- whose purpose-desire-will is recognized as being of prime importance. Nothing revealed this acknowledgment more clearly than the totally submissive attitude of Jesus towards God the Father. Even Jesus when he came to earth did not cling to 'equality with God' but took the form of a servant (Philippians 2:6-7) Even Jesus was not a free agent! Even Jesus' will was not free to set God-The Father's interests aside. Jesus' behavior revealed he was governed the will of god the father (Matthew 26:42)
What greater example can we have than that of Jesus? Believers are told to be like Jesus. The next section looks at this matter.
And what is that example? Acknowledgment by obedience:
How important the recognizing of who/what god is, or, more specifically, who/what Christ is shows up over and over again in god's statements addressed to believers. This shows up very clearly in God's statements which speak of the purposes which Christians are to have and the standards they are to live by.
How does the Bible say believers are to do what means most to God? By demonstrating their acknowledgment of Jesus Christ. And how are they to do this? By conducting their lives according to the wishes of him who they acknowledge as their Lord (Master). The same way as for a king or ruler, Jesus' subjects demonstrate their recognition of his majesty and authority by their obedience. Acknowledgment through obedience. That is how individuals who recognize Jesus' Lordship and authority over them demonstrate that recognition.
This is clearly illustrated in the words of the apostle Paul addressed to a young minister, a young protegé of the apostle: "Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No-one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs--he wants to please his commanding officer." (2 Timothy 2:3-4)
While these words were addressed to one particular individual (a leader in the church) they apply to every believer: "Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death--even death on a cross! (Philippians 2:4-8; see also Hebrews 12:2-4) On the night of his arrest Jesus said to his disciples, "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you example that you should do as I have done for you." (John 13:14)
What standard does the Christian live by? "Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God." (1 Peter 4:1-2; see also 1 Peter 2:21; Romans 13:14) And again in the words of the apostle Paul, "So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it." (2 Corinthians 5:9-11; see also 1 Thessalonians4:1)
Pleasing Christ/God by doing his will is the standard of behavior, the guiding principle, that the New Testament sets before believers. Is there a better way for believers to acknowledge the supremacy and majesty of Christ than by heeding his words? (To see just a few of these verses see the file "Exhortations to do God's Will")
Over and over again Jesus' words teach and remind us that obedience is evidence of the favorable relationship that already exists between believers and God:
Words are not enough. Words by themselves are not evidence of the proper relationship with God. "Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matthew 7:21; see also James 2:14,17,23-24)
"He [Jesus] replied to him, 'Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?' Pointing to his disciples, he said, 'Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.'" (Matthew 12:48-50)
The basic issue in the Bible appears everywhere. As Jesus acknowledged his Father in heaven by doing his Father's will so should believers acknowledge Jesus as their Lord by doing his will
What is it that makes an act godly? That it is done in acknowledgment of God. What is it that makes an act godly? That it is done in the service of God, that it is done for God. To put the same question in the language that we see in modern businesses we would say, 'to be done only by authorized personnel'-- people, as it were, in God's organization.
Think of the employees of a company that work in the customer service department. When those employees provide services to customers for whom are the working? Is it for the customers or for the employer who gave them the assignment and who they owe allegiance or loyalty to?
The very terms that the Bible uses to speak of the position of believers, the very terms that the Bible uses to set forth the 'job description' of believers (even those believers that God used to write down his word) indicate the subordinate but privileged status of believers--We are servants of God. The terms such as apostle, ambassador, messenger, servant, bond-slave--all indicate that God's chosen people are in the 'employ' of somebody higher. (1 Peter 2:9) We who believe, we who have been called out of darkness, rescued from the dominion of Satan and transferred into the kingdom of God's Son are God's servants. What we do we do (or should be doing) for the Lord. "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16) "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men." (Colossians3:23)
What is more important, what is doing more for God, than being a witness to the greatness of God by showing respect for God by heeding his instructions and commands? It is not the fact that a service is being provided for 'others' that is what is approved (smiled upon) by God. An unbeliever, a criminal can do things that benefit 'others'. Doing for 'others' is not a 'pre-approved-by-God' act or kind of behavior. The act of doing for 'others' is not a magic charm. The act that is always approved of by God is the acknowledgment of himself. It is the carrying out of his commands by individuals who know that they are God's commands that makes the service of 'others' a godly act. Only a believer ('authorized personnel') can do works that please God. "Without faith it is impossible to please God." (Hebrews11:6)
It is the recognition of god's authority that Makes
our lord god's explicit commands meaningful
It is the Who/What God is that underlies (and gives meaning to) the explicit commands of our lord Jesus Christ. Who cares about the 'commands' issued by someone who has no authority to make them? When Jesus the Christ was on earth the people recognized that he was different from wise men and teachers who repeated the religious traditions and interpretations of the past. Jesus was more than a wise parrot. He spoke with authority. He did not just know a body of ideas as we do. He was and is the truth. He said, "I am the way and the truth and the life." (John 14:6)
A few word pictures from Scripture make a small portion of this amazing truth quite vivid:
It is because of Who/What Christ is that what Christ says should be obeyed. And it is because of the believer knowing he/she has become part of God's family (John 1:12) that he or she responds accordingly. There is an unbreakable connection between the recognition of Who/What Jesus is and the response that results. Jesus states the fact: "If you love me, you will obey what I command." And again, "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me." (John 14:15, 21)
And what did Christ command? (In addition to other matters)--To look after his 'property', to care for what he owns and created.
The standards, the 'job descriptions', God gave to his servants included looking after the property that is God's by creation. That his commands include doing for 'others' is expressed in the Bible over and over again. Perhaps nothing summarizes God's revealed standard better than Jesus' reply to the question 'Which is the greatest commandment in the Law?' which he gave on the last day of his public ministry: Jesus replied: "`Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: `Love your neighbour as yourself.' All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." (Matthew 22:37-40)
Similar statements of this teaching can be found in other books of the Bible: "If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, 'Love your neighbour as yourself,' you are doing right." (James 2:8 ) "You, my brothers, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the sinful nature; rather, serve one another in love. The entire law is summed up in a single command: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.'" (Galatians 5:13)
Many of God's commands to care for his 'property' or possessions such as "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another" (John 13:34); "And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands..., his command is that you walk in love." (2 John 1:6); "Carry each other's burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ" (Galatians 6:2) were addressed to believers and disciples; they are exhortations to them to have love and concern for their 'kinsfolk' in the Lord--other members of God's family. (The relevance of this statement will become clearer later.)
Because God is who/what he is this is his world and every human being is his creation. It is his world. That is what the Bible teaches. (Colossians 1:15-16) Every human being is his creation and his possession. For believers the belief that this is so colors every action towards 'other' people. But it is not the relationship that resulted from creation that is that favored, eternal relationship which the Bible speaks of as that which the sacrificial death of Jesus the Christ made a permanent reality. (John 3:16) And it is the belief of believers in a special people--the family of God--that colors their works for 'others' even more.
It is a unique relationship. And it is a relationship which is entirely favorable and forever.
One way this special category of people is revealed is by the many verses which state God's favorable attitude towards those who fear him, those who love him, those who acknowledge his existence and authority.
A second way this special relationship is set forth is the verses which indicate that the Lord does not look with same favor or approval on every individual regardless of his or her beliefs and ways.
The New Testament restatement of God's differing attitude towards those who acknowledge him and those who don't is as follows: "He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power." (2 Thessalonians 1:8); "The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." (Galatians 6:8)
A third way this special relationship is revealed is by those verses which indicate that not everybody is one of god's special people, part of God's family. Only those who trust and obey are under his protection forever.
Some of God's declarations of the fact in the Old Testament ( which almost always refer to the nation of Israel):
The same fact is repeated in the New Testament but the people who are spoken of as favored is no longer limited almost entirely to the nation of Israel:
Listen to the words Christ spoke directly:
A marvelous illustration of the family relationship which believers or 'the-acknowledgers-of-God- by-obedience' have to Christ (God) is set forth in John 21:15-17:
"When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, 'Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?' 'Yes, Lord,' he said, 'you know that I love you.' Jesus said, 'Feed my lambs.' Again Jesus said, 'Simon son of John, do you truly love me?' He answered, 'Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.' Jesus said, 'Take care of my sheep.' The third time he said to him, 'Simon son of John, do you love me?' Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, 'Do you love me?' He said, 'Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.' Jesus said, 'Feed my sheep.'"
A fourth category of verses which set before us the idea that God's favor is directed at a distinct group of people are those verses which speak of a people that he has separated from the world of unbelievers and those verses which refer to the act of God by which he brought the separated group into being.
The idea that those whom God has redeemed are a distinct people is presented even in the context of pointing out that at one time (in time and history) the people who are special to God were in darkness along with everybody else. "All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath." (Ephesians 2:3) But what God's people were is not the end of the story--"But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved...For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:4-5,10)
The creation of a distinct people God did bring about. How? Christ "gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good" (Titus 2:14); "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21; see also 1 Peter 2:24; Romans 8:3) In Old Testament times this thread of truth was expressed in these words: "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed...the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all." (Isaiah 53:5,6)
How wonderful it is remember what God says about us, his chosen people: "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy." (1 Peter 2:9-10)
What is the name by which God addresses this special people of his: saints. Always a translation of the same Greek word it occurs 45 times in the New Testament (NIV translation). Check a concordance to see how the term is used.
There is a fifth category of verses which state or imply that there are people who have been separated from the world and there are people who are apparently still in the world. These are the verses exhorting that special group of people called 'saints' (to whom most of the New Testament letters were addressed) to remember how to behave towards outsiders.
It is quite obvious that not everyone living now or in the past has been rescued from the dominion of darkness and brought into God's kingdom. Nobody who does not acknowledge Jesus Christ (Matthew 10:32-33) and who does not desire to keep his precepts has been rescued or delivered from the dominion of darkness. "This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother." (1 John 3:10); "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires." (Galatians 5:24; see also Matthew 7:21)
Not every person is looked upon by God with delight and redeeming love but only those who are concerned to live according to God's standards--because they acknowledge who/what God is and what Christ did on their behalf. Only they are part of God's family. "He [Jesus] replied to him, 'Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?' Pointing to his disciples, he said, 'Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.'" (Matthew 12:48-50) Only they are in that unique relationship which is entirely favorable--forever. In the words of Jesus, "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no-one can snatch them out of my hand." (John 10:27-28) Only people that God describes as those "called out of darkness" (1 Peter 2:9), only people that God describes as having been "rescued from the kingdom of darkness and brought in the Kingdom of His Son" (Colossians 1:13) can look forward to eternal life with God's everlasting favor (2 Peter 3:11-14)
This discussion of the special people of God has been a long, and perhaps seemingly irrelevant one. What does the existence of many statements of God about a chosen people have to do with issue that the meditation began to ask? ('Serving Others Or A Servant of God?') In the New Testament God indicates that there is an equivalence between how people treat those people Jesus calls 'my brothers' and what they are doing to Jesus. This equivalence is clearly taught in the Bible. (Matthew 25:31-46; Acts 9:1-5) But when the idea that 'my brothers' means everybody God created is inserted into the verses that teach the equivalence then the Bible is seen as teaching the idea that helping fill any needs of anyone is the equivalent of serving Christ. The purpose for which this meditation was written is to show the ungodliness of just that idea.
The verses which have been quoted so frequently to support an 'improve-the world through compassion' gospel, sometimes called the 'social gospel', are the verses in the 25th chapter of Matthew in which God gives us a preview of what will take place at the final judgment when the Son of Man (Jesus' name for himself) comes the second time and sits on his throne. Jesus=The Son of Man=The King on the throne says to the righteous, "whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:40) A few verses later the idea of the equivalence is restated in the words addressed to the people the king has put on his left, the people whose destination is 'eternal punishment'. To them the king says, "I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me." (v. 45; for the full context see Matthew 25:31-46)
The purpose for which this meditation was written is to show how the idea that any service of 'others' (especially the physically needy) is necessarily or invariably the same as serving Christ amounts to the setting aside as irrelevant or insignificant the many verses in God's word which clearly indicate that he has a special, favorable, and eternal relationship only with a people he has called out the world and transferred to the kingdom of his Son--'his' people, his heirs, his 'brethren'. (Romans 8:17,29-30) It is the setting aside of God's teachings about his special people, his saints, that makes the idea that the phrase 'my brothers' or the 'least of these' includes everybody an ungodly idea however loving it may seem.
While the Bible indicates that of necessity every human being is a creation of the Creator, the Bible does not indicate that everybody is part of his family and an heir to God's promises. Though all creatures are God's, it is ungodly for Christians to set aside or treat as unimportant this distinction which is so important to God. A servant, like an ambassador, is supposed to reflect the values of his master--the way his master looks at the world. Though all creatures are God's, it is ungodly for Christians to think and live as if there were not a great divide between those who acknowledge him--those in whom God delights-- and those who are under the wrath of God. (John 3:36; 5:24; Romans 2:5; Matthew 7:21; Ephesians 5:6; Revelation 21:8) "Therefore, as we have opportunity," [the apostle Paul says to the congregation(s) in Galatia] "let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." (Galatians 6:10)
(Before continuing, I refer you to an excellent presentation of the whole idea dealt with above regarding God's special relationship with the people he has "called out of darkness". It is my wife's "Some Things We Are In Christ"-- http://home.netcarrier.com/~annep/contents.htm)
Having looked at the reason for such a long section on 'the special affinity God has with individuals who acknowledge him' we can get back to the theme--'Is serving others the same thing as being A Servant of God?'
How believers behave towards 'others' in god's world is first of all a showing of their respect for God. What believers do for 'others' is because they are God's servants, not because the serving of 'others' is by its very nature a godly act which automatically entitles one to the approval of God.
The identity of the people who benefit from believers' actions does not indicate for whom the service is being done. There is a difference, a great difference, between doing something for 'others' and doing something for God that benefits 'others'. Who is being served by an individual who does his deeds in order to garner the praise of men or the thanks of people for the benefits those people have received? God? The motivation is decisive.
There are many verses in the Bible that illustrate how the 'person' for whom the service is being done may be different from the person being benefited by the service. Because the distinction is so obvious and relevant in the case of slaves of earthly masters ('bosses in today's world) some of the clearest illustrations are found in that context. The apostle Paul says, "slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favour when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart." (Ephesians 6:5-6) Or, as the apostle Paul states it in another letter, "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, working for the Lord, not for men." (Colossians 3:23). In yet another epistle the apostle is telling a young minister (Timothy) what he should teach in regard to how slaves should behave towards their masters--that they should "be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Saviour attractive." (Titus 2:9-10)
A vivid illustration of a God-fearing slave doing just that is Joseph's refusal to be seduced by his (earthly) master's wife way back in ancient Egypt. "No-one is greater in this house than I am. My master has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. How then could I do such a wicked thing and sin against God?" (Genesis 39:9)
At the other extreme, think of the example of Jesus. The action, the sacrifice, of Jesus Christ greatly benefited many people but it was not because those people were his 'master' or 'employer'. It was not please them that he voluntarily laid down his life. When Christ laid down his life it was to accomplish a purpose for God--"to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (Titus 2:14); "...as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless." (Ephesians 5:25-27)
When Jesus laid down his life he was carrying out the mission that his Father had given him (as an ambassador carries out the purpose for which he was appointed). "For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the sinful nature, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in sinful man." (Romans 8:3) And again, "God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21) And again, "He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds have been healed. (1 Peter 2:24)
The apostle Paul's statements which describe his own motivations bring out the distinction between the person being benefited by a service and who it is that the apostle is 'working for'. "Am I now trying to win the approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still trying to please men, l would not be a servant of Christ" (Galatians 1:10); "We speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts." (1 Thessalonians 2:4) And again, "For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake." (2 Corinthians 4:5)
The fact that certain individuals benefit from our actions does not say who our 'employer' is. It does not say whom we serve. It does not say to whom we owe loyalty. It does not say whose commands are being carrying out. A modern illustration might be the Customer Service department of a company. The company desires the employees in that department to do 'for' customers whatever the company has authorized them to do. It is the company that the employees are working for when they do things for the customers.
It is not that 'others' are benefited by services rendered that makes the serving of 'others' a godly act. What believers do for 'others' is because they are God's servants. What is more important to God? Doing for 'others' or doing what he says?
What does obedience have to do with 'doing for others'? It is when we obey God, when we live according to the expressed will of God, that we demonstrate our acceptance of the fact that the Creator God has the right to dictate the rules of the universe, the rules of the 'game of life'. And a significant element in his expressed will is that we should do for 'others', especially for those who acknowledge the God of the Bible: "Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers." (Galatians 6:10)
'Is serving 'others' the same as being a servant of God?' That is the question that this meditation began with. No, serving 'others' is not at all the same as being a servant of God. A servant of God is, to use an inadequate earthly example, someone in God's 'employ'--who knows it. The basis of the Christian's or believer's behavior toward 'others' is respect, care, and concern because they are God's creations and property. They are as deserving of mercy as we were. (Christ may have given his life for them.)
And God has told his children to treated everybody well. 'Others' are not to be respected just because they are 'others' instead of 'self' but because they are God's property. This is what gives 'others' their value. When is serving others a godly act?--When it is part of the acknowledgment of God--that this is God's world. It is the positive relationship to God into which believers have been put that sets the scene or context which, as it were, 'bestows' godly merit on the serving of 'others'.
The doing of certain kinds of acts regardless of the purposes for which they are done, that is, without concern for whether they please God or not is not meritorious. The fact that other people may be benefited by an act does not mean God is pleased by such acts. When the motivations for such acts are ungodly God is not pleased by them. Looking upon the service of 'others' as a kind of behavior that merits or wins God's approval automatically is not only wrong; being a substitution for God's truth it is inevitably an ungodly act; one that will inevitably lead to further sins. Who keeps looking for the correct answer when he thinks he already has it? Be careful not to rely on what is a human assessment of 'good works' that ignores the standard of motivation which is such a crucial factor that God includes in his definition of a 'good work'. No. Serving others is not necessarily a godly work. And when it is not (not a godly act), serving others is not the same as being a servant of God.
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