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NASB | Mark 9:35 Sitting down, He called the twelve and *said to them, "If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Mark 9:35 Sitting down [to teach], He called the twelve [disciples] and said to them, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be last of all [in importance] and a servant of all." |
Subject: 'Practical' service? |
Bible Note: Dear Charis, Thanks again for your kind response! I'm sorry if I sounded too abrupt in my previous posting but there are people (as you well know) who have a hidden "agenda". They are not sincerely seeking answers from God's Word but live simply to stir up strife and contention. These are folks who already have an answer in their minds before they ask their question but want you to support their answer whether or not it is supported or authorized by God's Word or not. Then they get angry at you for not supporting it! The Pharisees that Jesus dealt with were of like character. These folks have "closed" minds - not "open" minds as we must have in order to attain the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 18:1-4). I now realize that you are not one of those types of people and I appreciate your honesty and sincerity. 1) Let me now address your question concerning commitment, responsibility, and orderliness. These Christian characteristics can all be summed up in one word - "faithfulness". As you well know, if God demands anything, it is "faithful" service (Matt. 25:21; Luke 12:42; 16:10; 19:17; Acts 16:15; 1 Cor. 4:2; 4:17; 1 Tim. 1:12) even in the face of death (Rev. 2:10). The word, "faithful", is mentioned 82 times in 78 verses in the Bible. Anything repeated more than once in God's Word is VERY important and needs to be heeded by God's people. Faithfulness must therefore be important to God. We cannot adequately serve God without being "faithful" to Him and His Word. In fact, if you turn that word around, it simply means "full of faith". We know that faith comes from hearing God's Word (Romans 10:17) and that "without faith it is impossible to please him" (Heb. 11:6). 2) You asked, "Do we not also serve God by serving His church, His body?". The answer of course is YES because that's exactly what the scriptures teach. I will also agree with your statement, "Our portrayal of the Gospel to the lost and to the saints is a form of service, too" because that is what the scriptures teach. Patience is not one of my greatest virtues but I'm working on it! I sincerely appreciate your patience with me! May the Lord continue to bless us as we study and make application of His Word. Mike |