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Love That Produces a Servant

“Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.  If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another's feet.”  John 13:13 & 14

We must always bear in mind that everything that Christ exampled was motivated from the platform of a heart that generated unconditional love.  He was attempting to show us that it matters not what the task; if love (I Corinthians 13) is present; then that love will override any other emotion that we may experience.

A true servant has a heart of unconditional love for their master.   Therefore, they place no limitations on the duties that they graciously will perform – for their master. 

When Jesus washed His disciple’s feet; He was mirroring to them a display of His unconditional love for them – which produced the ability to become a servant.

Far too often when we read this narrative; we focus on doing the work of a servant.  However, we must also realize that doing the work of a servant, which is not motivated from a heart of love, is simply fulfilling a responsibility and not showing an act of compassion.   God’s desire for us is that we are so filled with His love; that whatever task we must undertake, we will be motivated from a heart of that type of love.    He desires that His love has so renewed our thought patterns; that our thoughts have now produced the mentality of a true servant.

A true servant must possess the ability to:

S – Sacrifice ; Philippians 3:7-8 ESV  “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake    of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ.”

E – Encourage (others):  1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV

“Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.”

R – be Reliable : 1 Corinthians 15:58 ESV

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”

V – be Vigilant: Ephesians 6:10-18 ESV

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness,….”

A -  be Alert: 1 Peter 5:8 ESV

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

N - Never Give Up: Galatians 6:9 ESV                                                                                     “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.”

T – be Trustworthy: 1 Corinthians 4:2 ESV

“Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found trustworthy.”

So to recap….a true servant has received that degree of unconditional love that has now produced within them the mentality of: Sacrifice, Encouragement, Reliability, Vigilance, Alertness, and Trustworthiness.  Above all a true servant will have a gift of endurance….. which will enable them to …Never Give Up  anything!

 Are your expressions of servanthood motivated from the platform of responsibility or compassion? 

To do the work of a servant is commendable.

However, to have the heart of a servant is exceptional and requires a renewed mindset!  Remember man sees WHAT we do….but God knows WHY we are doing it.