Marked Man
Theme of the Week: Marks of a Servant
Saturday, April 5, 2003
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Q. What characterizes a servant of Jesus?
A. Five traits emerge in Paul's profile in 2 Corinthians 6:
Consistency (verse 3). Nothing in our lives should be a stumbling block that prevents someone else from believing or brings discredit to our Savior!
Endurance (4-5). If we're going to follow Jesus in a world in which He was crucified, we mustn't expect to be exempt from testing and suffering. The strong Christian isn't the one who escapes hardships, but the one who perseveres through them.
Righteousness (6-7). Paul's "weapon" of righteousness included: (1) Purity—a single-mindedness of motive and behavior; (2) Understanding—getting to know God and His truth better and better, and also understanding people; (3) Patience—literally "long-suffering," holding out long-term in a manner that rules out rudeness and harshness. (4) Kindness—moving toward others in caring love. These qualities, Paul says, can be produced only by the life of God working in us.
Realism (8-10). We should not be caught off-guard. If we're serving Jesus, it will be tough. We'll be criticized; we'll encounter difficulties. But to have Christ is to have all that we have in Jesus forever in heaven. Realism lays up that sort of treasure.
Affection (1, 11-13). Paul demonstrated that effective ministry isn't just the open Word; it's also an open heart: "My … affection for you is like a wide open door, flung open for you to enter in." Christian service isn't coldly efficient; it builds friendship-bridges into people's hearts.
David Jackman directs the Cornhill Training Course in England.
Adapted fromDecision, Billy Graham Evangelistic Assoc. (11/00) by permission
Copyright © 2003 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity.
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Dear Father, Your Son came to serve and give His life. Help me to follow His example.
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