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NASB | Romans 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 14:17 for the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking [what one likes], but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. |
Bible Question:
Quick background for my question: I am a Senior, Computer Science major at Westmont College, California. I am working on an artificial intelligence research project, based on the idea of service. Right now, we are trying to work with the aspects of service, trying to define, and discover what makes service. So, my question: "Biblically, what is service?", "What separates good service from bad service?", "Why is service valuable to us?", "How is service valuable to God?" The problem I've been having is that while it seems obvious that servants in the Bible are frequently called "good" or "bad", very little of what they did (especially for "good" servants) is actually recorded. It is hard to extrapolate the qualities that make up these services. I have my thoughts, but most of them are incomplete, and I'm interested in other people's thoughts to stimulate my own. |
Bible Answer: Hi, hvnscry! I don't think that you are going to find a specific formula in the Bible that breaks down "serve" or "good servant." Rather, there are various passages that will emphasize God's commandment and His possition on how we are to serve Him: Romans 14:17-19: for it is not eating and drinking that make the kingdom of God, but the saving justice, the peace and the joy brought by the only Spirit. It is the person who serves Christ in these things that will be approved by God and respected by everyone. So then, let us be always seeking the ways we can support one another. The above passage states that to serve God, we are to serve in the tools provided by the Holy Spirit: justice, peace, joy! Serving Christ in this manner brings us God's blessings and man's esteem. We are to seek ways to serve each other, in Christ! In Matthew 25:14-30 we have the parable of the coins or three servants... each operated differently; one was lazy and careless--we are taught to serve God in a productive manner; the operative phrase being "activily serving the Lord!" In Matthrew 24:45-51 is a breakdown on some of the things that makes "good" and "bad" service. One example is the servant that abuses his delegated power--this person will be cast away. The other example is that of the faithful ("good") servant who honorably manages the power and people entrusted to him--this servant receives commendations, praises and further charges (delegations). In Matthew 25:31-46 we find anotations of services that our Lord expects us to perform; not only that, but we find praises and admonishions directly related to the service done or left undone! We are one Body in Christ--the greater are to minister to the lesser and all are to serve God indiscriminately. Matthew 20:25-28: But Jesus called them to him and said, 'You know that among the gentiles the rulers lord it over them, and great men make their authority felt. Among you this is not to happen. No; anyone who wants to become great among you must be your servant, and anyone who wants to be first among yo must be your slave, just as the Son of man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.' Clearly, Jesus has established a format of service among His followers: we are to think of others in that light--our service has to done to please God; not as a means to wheel power or ability over humanity. I hope this helps... Now, being a SciFi buff--I think "I Robot" broke down the service rule pretty close to Christ's command! God Bless! Angel |
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Questions and/or Subjects for Rom 14:17 | Author | ||
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hvnscry | ||
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JCrichton | ||
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Bola | ||
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cklamhk | ||
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DocTrinsograce | ||
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azurelaw | ||
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wisdom111 | ||
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gbemiomololu |