Growing up in this part of the world, you would often find that a lot of boys go through a phase where they do not want to cut their hair low any longer. They suddenly are fascinated with growing out their hair much to the disappointment of their fathers.

Imagine the story of a boy who has ignored every request of his parents to cut his hair, receives a visit from an uncle and this uncle also asks him to cut his hair. He’s about to decline when his parents tell him that his uncle gave him a kidney when he was much younger. The boy is now much more inclined to heed to his uncle’s request.

The concept of being a servant in Christianity differs significantly from the notion of modern-day servanthood which often conveys subjugation and force. But in Christianity, It is more akin to a willful inclination to serve because we understand who is demanding it from us. That very idea of servanthood is deeply rooted in the understanding of what Christ has done in salvation.

Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭4‬-‭5‬

‭New King James Version‬‬

4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,

5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),

When we were dead in our sins and trespasses, condemned for eternity. We were without hope in the world and then Jesus stepped in and paid our dept, wiped our slate clean and granted us life eternal. We were saved from the sin and eternal because of the sacrifice of Jesus. This changes everything.

Romans‬ ‭6‬:‭18‬ ‭

New King James Version‬‬

18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.“

The profound impact of Christ sacrificial death liberates us from the binding power of sin. Through Christ’s redemptive work on the cross, we have been set free from the chains of sin that once ensnared us. Instead of being bound to sin we have become slaves unto righteousness.

Philippians‬ ‭2‬:‭5‬-‭8‬

‭New King James Version‬‬

5 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus,

6 who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God,

7 but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men.

8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

In the incarnation , Jesus stands as the ultimate and perfect example. His life was a living testimony to the essence of selfless service. He, being fully God, chose to dwell among us, sharing in our experiences, joys, and even hardships. In doing so, He demonstrated the depth of His love and the radical nature of true service.

Jesus didn’t approach His sacrificial mission with entitlement or superiority. Instead, He humbled Himself even to the point of death on a cross showing his heart towards doing the will of God. If God himself could do this, the question is how much more you?

2 Corinthians 5:15

New King James Version‬‬

15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

Servanthood should come from a deep understanding of what Christ has done for us. We serve him not to earn salvation, but as a response to the love and grace we have received from Him. When you believed the gospel, you accepted the life Christ died to give you so truly your life is not your own. You live not unto yourself but for him that died for you.

Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭21‬ ‭

King James Version‬‬

21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Paul here understood that whether he was alive or dead it was all unto God. “To live is Christ”, because the life I live is in total submission and servitude to God. “To die is gain”, because when I die I get to be with God and serve him in eternity. We need to acknowledge that our entire existence is centered around Christ. Our purpose, our desires, and our actions are all directed towards glorifying and serving Him. Every aspect of our lives is must be in total surrender to His will.

Luke‬ ‭19‬:‭17‬

New King James Version

17 And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.’

This is Jesus’ disposition when it comes to stewardship. He explains that as a result of how faithful you have been in the things that he has committed into your hands will lead to more responsibilities and rewards. So we must be able to examine ourselves and to ask, “with all that God has committed to my hands can God tell me ‘well done Good and faithful servant‘?”

Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭11‬ ‭

New King James Version‬‬

11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

As believers, we have been called to a life of service and we are to do it with all diligence, not having on and off times but serving the Lord diligently.

Having a heart of servanthood means living our lives with a sincere desire to honour and obey God in all that we do. It means recognizing that God has called us to love and serve Him wholeheartedl, giving our best efforts in His service.

Romans‬ ‭1‬:‭1‬ ‭

New King James Version‬‬

1 Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God

In this verse, Paul refers to himself as a servant of Christ Jesus, highlighting his role and identity in serving the Lord. Being a servant of Christ means recognizing that we belong to Him and that our lives should be lived in obedience and submission to Him. It involves dedicating ourselves to carrying out His purposes and spreading the good news of the gospel. Our money or resources, for example, must be directed towards sponsorship of the gospel .

In conclusion, the condition of our hearts profoundly influences our participation and service. A heart surrendered to Christ’s love propels us into action, willingly engaging in the work of God. As you go about your day, consider the joy that comes from serving with a willing heart. Give the service of God your all!

Prayer Point:

Father, grant me the wisdom to discern and faithfully fulfil the responsibilities and opportunities You have placed in my hands. I pray that my actions and endeavours align with Your will.