Several weeks ago my sister received a text that simply and
sweetly said, “Love ya.” Not recognizing
the senders’ number, she quickly replied, “I’m sure I’d love you too if I knew
who this was!” (Turns out it was my
husband who thought he was texting me!)
We all had a good laugh, but their mix-up makes a point—for a message to
make a difference, you need to know who sent it.
When Paul penned his letter to the Romans, he made sure an introduction
preceded any instruction. He wanted his readers to know who he was and why he
was sending these words their way, and so he began, “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ”(Romans 1:1). He continued on to say he was “called to be an apostle” and that he
was “set apart for the gospel of God,” but
this calling and commission flowed from the fact that first and foremost, Paul,
the great saint and missionary whose resume of Jewish fanaticism and Christian
devotion required several pages, was simply a servant of God.
The word “servant” sort of makes us balk, for being a
servant means just what is says—one person does the wish and will of another
just the way the other wants it to be done, without question and without
hesitation. Being forced or coerced to
be a servant would be difficult, especially if the one you served was harsh and
hard, but when one is servant of a Master who loves without fail, exists
without fault, executes perfect justice, rules with complete power, abounds
with care and compassion, and holds us close to His heart and securely in His
hand, such a position is more than a privilege.
It is an astonishing gift of grace.
Our Lord is almighty, eternal, majestic, and glorious, and
He left His heaven to become a servant. “The Son of Man did not come to be served,
but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many”(Matthew 20:20). Spending every moment of every day knowing,
loving, and doing His wish and will without question and hesitation is our
highest purpose and our highest joy.
“Paul, a servant of
Jesus Christ.” The next 7108 words of
Paul’s letter flowed from the overwhelming fact that he was the grateful servant
of a great Savior. May all we say and
today spring from the same source.
Don’t leave people wondering
who’s sending the message.
Let them know who you love and
who you serve, so hopefully they will do the same.
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