Bondservant

JOHN MANIATTY

“And the Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.” 2 Timothy 2:24-26

Bondservant. To be the Lord’s bond-servant literally means to be a love slave of our Lord Jesus. To serve Him, not only because of His love for us, but because we love Him. Serving him from a heart of love, not fear. Serving him from a heart of love, not anger. Serving him from a heart of love, not obligation. Serving him from a heart of love, not to go to heaven.

The requirements. As being a bond-servant is a heart attitude that produces a lifestyle these requirements are also a “lifestyle” requirement. We all fall far short of being like Jesus and we sin. Sin becomes a lifestyle when we practice it. The same is true with these requirements. Though we will all do or say quarrelsome or unkind things. Though at times we are impatient, this does not eliminate of from being one of His bond-servants—a lifestyle of practicing sin in any of these areas does. Let’s not practice sin but instead overcome it.

“Be of the same mind toward one another; do not be haughty in mind but associate with the lowly. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Never pay back evil for evil to anyone. Respect what is right in the sight of all men. If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men.” Romans 12:16-18

If your heart toward the Lord is to be at peace with all men you will have a lifestyle of peace. Though you are occasionally unkind, those who know you most intimately (the ones you live out your life in Christ with) will say you are kind. Like wise, though you are occasionally impatient, those who know you most intimately will say you are patient. Listen to the Lord and those He has intimately joined you with and you will know. If you fall short, ask forgiveness from the Lamb and repent (live the exact opposite, His Way!). You will never regret it.

agape,
---john