Topical Bible: Servants: should Serve: As Doing the Will of God from the Heart

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In the biblical context, the role of a servant is deeply rooted in the principles of humility, obedience, and dedication to the will of God. The Scriptures provide a framework for understanding how servants are to conduct themselves, emphasizing that their service should be rendered as an act of worship and devotion to God.

Biblical Foundation

The Apostle Paul, in his epistle to the Ephesians, provides clear instruction on the attitude and heart posture that servants should maintain. Ephesians 6:5-7 states, "Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Serve with good will, as to the Lord and not to men, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free." This passage underscores the importance of serving with sincerity and integrity, viewing one's earthly service as ultimately directed toward the Lord.

Similarly, in Colossians 3:22-24 , Paul reiterates this principle: "Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only to please them while they are watching, but with sincerity of heart and fear of the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men, because you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as your reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." Here, the emphasis is on wholehearted service, motivated by a reverence for God and the promise of divine reward.

The Heart of Service

The biblical mandate for servants to serve as doing the will of God from the heart is not merely about external compliance but involves an internal transformation. The heart, in biblical terms, is the seat of will, emotion, and intellect. Therefore, serving from the heart implies a genuine, heartfelt commitment to fulfilling God's purposes through one's service.

Jesus Himself exemplified this principle. In Mark 10:45 , He declares, "For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many." Christ's life and ministry were characterized by selfless service, setting a model for all believers to emulate.

Practical Implications

For servants, serving as doing the will of God from the heart involves several practical implications:

1. Obedience and Respect: Servants are called to obey their earthly masters with respect, recognizing that their ultimate allegiance is to God. This obedience is not contingent on the character or behavior of the master but is an expression of their devotion to Christ.

2. Sincerity and Integrity: Service should be marked by sincerity and integrity, avoiding duplicity or mere eye-service. The servant's actions should reflect a consistent and genuine commitment to excellence, as if serving Christ Himself.

3. Joyful Service: Serving from the heart involves a joyful and willing spirit, recognizing that every act of service is an opportunity to glorify God. This perspective transforms mundane tasks into acts of worship.

4. Eternal Perspective: Servants are encouraged to maintain an eternal perspective, understanding that their reward comes from the Lord. This hope of an eternal inheritance motivates them to persevere in faithful service, regardless of earthly recognition or reward.

Conclusion

The biblical teaching on servants serving as doing the will of God from the heart calls for a radical reorientation of one's approach to service. It challenges believers to view their roles not merely as duties to be performed but as sacred opportunities to honor God and reflect the character of Christ in all they do.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 6:6
Not with eye-service, as men pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

On Account Then of These Either Occupations of the Servants of God ...
... used, which yet that the faithful must serve unto, he ... ready mind: avoiding this,
that no man should blame us ... to minister necessaries to the holy servants of God ...
/.../augustine/of the work of monks /section 17 on account then.htm

Promises and Threatenings
... receive no outward kingdom if we are servants of God ... though not of lands.' All creatures
serve the soul ... now the condition attached that Israel should cleave to ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/promises and threatenings.htm

Thoughts Upon the Knowledge of G0D.
... of us but will say, they do not serve us, but ... How then can we expect that God should
look upon us, as ... for him, as we expect from our own Servants, though our ...
/.../private thoughts upon a christian life/thoughts upon the knowledge of.htm

What is God's Will?
... around His, till mine is fierce with passion to serve, and strong ... God's servants
work on short notices ... or me; yes, a wonderful privilege that He should count us ...
//christianbookshelf.org/drummond/the ideal life/what is gods will.htm

God's Will About the Future
... That will is that the Lord's people should be saved, and ... So, as the servants of the
Most High, we go forth ... will." A man can as much as serve God by measuring ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 38 1892/gods will about the future.htm

Unprofitable Servants.
... I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I ... done all, say, We are unprofitable
servants""servants whom the ... meaning is, even although a man should do all ...
/.../arnot/the parables of our lord/xxvii unprofitable servants.htm

Of the Difference Between the Faithful Servants and the Secret ...
... she had chosen the better part, which should not be ... that they would neither act nor
serve, even in ... these are neither secret friends nor faithful servants of God ...
/.../john/the adornment of the spritual marriage/chapter vii of the difference.htm

Thou Shalt Honor Thy Father and Thy Mother.
... this commandment, if they wish to serve God with truly ... joy when going to work and
doing what is ... Therefore man-servants and maid-servants should be careful not ...
/.../luther/the large catechism/thou shalt honor thy father.htm

Petty Dishonesty.
... Then Abraham lent his servants to the king of Sodom to help ... How many who fear lest
it should be said of them ... S. Paul bids all who serve others"we all do that ...
/.../the village pulpit volume ii trinity to advent/xlvi petty dishonesty.htm

Answering the Reasons which those Ministers Give, which Hinder the ...
... with God, and have a mind that we should serve him at a ... tis not a good way to leave
off doing acts of ... Gods hand is so open in giving, his servants should be so ...
/.../chap ii answering the reasons.htm