It seems beyond our imagination when Royalty or the rich would lay aside their elite status and risk everything to serve others. Yet, precisely that is what Jesus did! He left the splendor of heaven where He remained ever in the presence of His Father, to take on human flesh that He might be the everlasting sacrifice for our sins. Jesus faced temptation in this human body. He faced ridicule, hatred, false accusations, pain, and death upon the cross; so that, we might be saved from our sinful state. Because of His willingness to become a servant, we gain the right to be called Children of God; taking part as Royal heirs of His kingdom. Because the Ultimate Royalty chose to be a servant, we the guilty, forsaken sinner gain access to royalty. Think on that!
Furthermore, consider this! Since Jesus Christ chose to set aside His Royal position for a time to walk among us; how much more should we willingly, humbly serve others while awaiting our position of royalty with Him? In Christ, we already hold that position; yet, a little while we will stand within His palace before His throne; where we will behold Him face to face. Until that day, I choose servanthood; because, empowered by the truth of my position of royalty, no longer do I feel the victimhood of my own impoverished state. The power to live with less now or to lay aside the desires for earthly things; comes from knowing the truth.
LAYING ASIDE ROYALTY; BECAUSE OF KNOWING
Look at what Jesus said shortly before going to pay my penalty of sin upon the cross.
“3 Jesus knowing that the Father
had given all things into his hands,
and that he was come from God,
and went to God”
became a servant and washed the feet
of His apostles, then asked us to follow
in His example
“14 If I then, your Lord and Master,
have washed your feet; ye also ought
to wash one another’s feet.
15 For I have given you an example,
that ye should do as I have done to you.
16 Verily, verily, I say unto you,
The servant is not greater than his LORD”
John 13
Also, read further how this example applies to you and me.
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds. Hebrews 12:1-3
Did you note that? For the joy that was set before Him, Christ endured the cross; despite His hating the shame, the sin, the utter vitriol spewed upon Him by the very people He came to save. Because He knew this sacrifice provided the only hope of salvation for you and me, He chose to go. The joy set before Him: the chance to one day embrace us in perfect, just, righteous love.
CHOOSING TO BE A SERVANT; BECAUSE OF KNOWING
Those of you who follow my website know that I openly speak about my life. The difficulties, my own failures, the trials and God’s victories, I try to present with open frankness. My belated husband suffered from a bipolar disorder with violent tendencies. For the first 5 years of our marriage, I lived with a victim’s mentality; because, I thought somehow, I deserved the violence toward me. It must be that I wasn’t good enough, pretty enough, or wise enough to be loved. Furthermore, I had failed God in the past; so, perhaps, God’s wrath justly allowed the abuse I endured. After sinking deeply into despair, I got up the courage to leave for a time. During the next six months, I went to therapy. Beyond the therapy, I also, spent many hours in prayer and Bible Study.
The truth of Grace I had always known in my mind; but, finally that truth began to enlighten my heart as well. Grace is and always had been God’s unmerited favor toward me. His love never depended upon my getting it right. He knew my heart sought after Him; despite all my faulty failures along this journey of life. Never did His wrath demand my payment; instead, Christ already paid the penalty for my sin. My own vain attempts to earn His love always failed; because, those attempts revealed my need for self-exaltation. Once I learned the truth of God’s unconditional love for me; God, then asked the unthinkable. He sent me back to Pete with an unconditional, unrelenting love to help him. When I returned to Pete; no longer a victim; I lived each day realizing I had a mission of grace to perform; sent by God Almighty.
JOY SET BEFORE ME
God used this faltering, stumbling child to exemplify His Unconditional love for Pete. Ultimately Pete accepted Christ as His Savior before His death in 1994. An eternity changed; because, God allowed me to see the truth of my position in Christ, giving me the strength to endure many trials along the way.
That same truth guides my life today. More recently, there occurred a tragedy calling upon me to decide to help a child in financial need. Each paycheck, I transfer money and will until God says, “time to stop.” Doing so, means I live meagerly. Occasionally, my mind wanders to desire things such as a Christian cruise, travel, eat out more, etc. However, then I remember my own greater love for my child and his family; which brings greater joy, than those other trivialities ever could. When I budget my groceries tightly, leave the thermostat turned conservatively; I do so as God’s Child, heir of His Kingdom, not as a victim.
Knowing my true position in Christ, the counterfeit, temporary pleasures of this world become trivial compared to eternity. I choose also to serve when I continue to purchase and take my mother things at the home to hopefully add joy to her life. Every step of the way, I continue to tithe. Furthermore, I continue this ministry at another financial burden to myself; so that, I might tell you the wonders of faith and the gospel message.
CONCLUDING THOUGHT
Whatever trials present themselves in this journey; we stand strong; because, we know our position in Christ Jesus as God’s Beloved, Blessed, Redeemed Child, heir of the Kingdom and Servant by choice.
CONCLUDING TWEETS
[tweetthis]Because I know my position in Christ, I joyfully choose to be a Servant[/tweetthis]
[bctt tweet=”In Christ Jesus I am Gods Beloved Blessed Redeemed Child heir of the Kingdom&Servant by choice” username=”effiedarlene”]
[bctt tweet=”The Sacrifices we make in this world are nothing compared to the Joy & Glory we have in Christ” username=”effiedarlene”]
[bctt tweet=”Knowing my true position in Christ the counterfeit temporary pleasures of this world fade away” username=”effiedarlene”]
This is an original Drawing by an amazing artist. Check out his work: http://roninron.com .
You cannot copy or duplicate this picture without permission; because of copyright laws.
featured photograph at beginning of post by permission of https://unsplash.com/@jamessutton_photography
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.