Topical Bible: Servants: should Serve in the Fear of God

◄ Servants: should Serve in the Fear of God ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of servanthood in the Bible is deeply rooted in the understanding that all service is ultimately rendered unto God. This principle is emphasized throughout Scripture, where servants are called to serve with sincerity, integrity, and reverence for the Lord. The fear of God, a profound respect and awe for the Almighty, is a guiding principle for how servants should conduct themselves in their duties.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible provides numerous instructions regarding the attitude and behavior of servants. In Colossians 3:22-24 , the Apostle Paul writes, "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." This passage underscores the importance of serving with a sincere heart, motivated by reverence for God rather than mere human approval.

Similarly, Ephesians 6:5-7 instructs, "Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. And do this not only to please them while they are watching, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve with good will, as to the Lord and not to men." Here, the emphasis is on serving as if serving Christ Himself, highlighting the spiritual dimension of earthly service.

The Fear of God

The fear of God is a central theme in the Bible, often associated with wisdom and righteousness. Proverbs 9:10 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." For servants, this fear is not a paralyzing dread but a reverent acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and holiness. It is this fear that motivates them to serve faithfully and diligently, recognizing that their ultimate accountability is to God.

Examples of Godly Servants

The Bible provides examples of individuals who served in the fear of God. Joseph, while a servant in Potiphar's house, demonstrated integrity and faithfulness, even when faced with temptation (Genesis 39:7-10). His fear of God guided his actions, leading to God's favor and eventual elevation to a position of great authority in Egypt.

Another example is Daniel, who served in the courts of Babylon. Despite the pressures to conform to pagan practices, Daniel remained steadfast in his devotion to God, serving with excellence and integrity (Daniel 6:3-5). His fear of God was evident in his unwavering commitment to prayer and obedience to God's commandments.

Practical Implications

For contemporary believers, the call to serve in the fear of God extends beyond the historical context of slavery and servitude. It applies to all forms of work and service, whether in the home, workplace, or community. Colossians 3:17 exhorts, "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him." This verse encourages believers to approach every task with a heart of gratitude and reverence for God, recognizing that all service is ultimately for His glory.

In summary, the biblical mandate for servants to serve in the fear of God is a call to live and work with integrity, sincerity, and a deep respect for the Lord. This principle transforms ordinary service into an act of worship, aligning the servant's heart with the will and purposes of God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ephesians 6:5
Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Colossians 3:22
Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service, as men pleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Great Duty of Family Religion
... he knew Abraham would command his servants and children ... you, with your respective
families, to serve the Lord ... forget her sucking child, that she should not have ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the great duty of family.htm

Meditations for Household Piety.
... in his own house, then the house of God should be better ... householders make no other
use of their servants than they ... they care not if their souls serve the devil ...
/.../bayly/the practice of piety/meditations for household piety.htm

Psalm CXXV.
... from being servants, but good servants from bad servants. ... that a righteous and faithful
man should serve an unjust ... will, with his whole love to serve even a ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm cxxv.htm

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
... This puts dread and fear into his service; and therefore his servants should serve
him with fear. 3. Above all things, God is jealous of his worship and service ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a treatise of the fear.htm

Commandment Twelfth. On the Twofold Desire. The Commandments of ...
... These, then, are the evil desires which slay the servants of God. ... Chap. III. "I should
like to know," say I, "in what way I ought to serve good desire ...
/.../the pastor books first second third/commandment twelfth on the twofold.htm

An Argument Urging it Upon the Remnant of Idolaters that they ...
... Idolaters that They Should at Length Become Servants of This ... And that it should be
so He promised long ago ... shall worship Him: all nations shall serve Him." [620 ...
/.../augustine/the harmony of the gospels/chapter xxvii an argument urging it.htm

To the Anziani and Consuls and Gonfalonieri of Bologna
... the civil law or the divine, nor do they care to serve one another ... that since you
have the help of the prayers of the servants of God, you should not fail ...
/.../benincasa/letters of catherine benincasa/to the anziani and consuls.htm

The Work of God in Our Work.
... of the hands of our enemies, may serve Him without ... Corinthians 7:1); to "yield ourselves
as servants to holiness ... And we should not weaken these passages, as the ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xiii the work of god.htm

1 Timothy v. 21-23
... a "messenger of Satan" was sent that he should not be ... serve our God with as much
zeal as servants do their ... and with fear and trembling let us serve Him, that ...
/.../homily xvi 1 timothy v.htm

That it is Sweet to Despise the World and to Serve God
... For is it a great thing that I should serve Thee, whom ... to seem a great thing to me
to serve Thee; but ... and unworthy, and to join him unto Thy chosen servants. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kempis/imitation of christ/chapter x that it is.htm