Called to Serve

One of the unfortunate characteristics taken up by some of those that leave the religious system is that, for a number of reasons, they have within them the desire to dominate other believers.

In this article we're not going to get into the reasons, we can do that another time. What we want to do is to center in on what Christ unveiled concerning this issue. And it was an issue.

Remember when James and John asked Jesus if they should call fire down out of heaven on some people? Jesus gave them a strong rebuke and told them that they didn't understand what spirit they were of.

Another time with the two, they had their mother come and ask that one of them be granted to sit at His right hand in the kingdom. 

Here is where Jesus made the simple but gargantuan statement of the difference between the kingdom of God and this world. Here is how He says it in the NIV:

"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to be first must be your slave - Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many."

Jesus came to reveal that everything that is of this world has been turned upside down, not He was reversing that.

What's He say? 

The rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them - but not so with you. 
They exercise authority over them - not so with you.
If you want to be first - be everyone's slave
The Son of Man didn't come to be served - He came to serve
The Son of Man didn't come to be served - But to give His life

This is the beginning and the end of those who want to dominate; it does not exist in the kingdom of God. I know about those out there who take this and get cute with it. They'll use the same words to do the very opposite of what they say. But these are the foundation of those who are Christ's in this area: not so with you!

That's it! Not so with us. There are no more words to add to or neither are they to be taken away from. 

This is why one of the aspects of the eternal purpose of God is that we all shall know Him from the least to the greatest. The key is that we shall all know Him, that in the end is all that matters for this lifetime and for eternity. 

So when you find those wandering out there looking to be over somebody, just politely send them on their way. Remember the words that John the Baptist spoke: The bride now hears the Bridegroom's voice, now my joy is full. And right after he mentions that, he adds that he must decrease so that Christ could increase. 

That's the only purpose we are to have in this life: to encourage and exhort one another to be in union with Christ directly, not through some false authority that has come between you and God. Christ is the only way to the Father and none other can take you there. Not only in your initial salvation, but also in your continuing walk.