More Than a Servant

At times we need to pause and remind ourselves of who we are in Christ. After receiving forgiveness through repentance and faith in Jesus what does the Bible say about who we are? What is our identity? What are we called to do? I’ll share a few that I think are important for us to remember.

In Christ We are Called Friends

No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. -John 15:15, ESV

In Christ We are Called Sons (and Daughters)

For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. -Galatians 3:26, ESV

In Christ We are Called to Serve

26 “It shall not be so among you. But whoever would be great among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever would be first among you must be your slave, 28 even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” -Matthew 20:26-28, ESV

Our identity in Christ is quite peculiar. Consider this. Jesus no longer calls us servants because we know His business, and yet the nature of His business is to serve. We have been given the identity and privilege of sons, daughters, and friends while retaining the attitude and mission of a servant. It is the identity that Jesus himself embodied. It is the identity of a servant-son.

This idea of the servant-son is the very remedy God uses to bridge the gap between the heights of His own holiness and the depths our human depravity. It is the remedy of reconciliation that was carried out by the servant-son, Jesus Christ. It was Jesus Christ, God the Father's only begotten Son, who chose the role of a servant in order that many might be redeemed.

Now as followers of Jesus Christ we share His identity. We carry on the ministry He paid for and perfected. We bridge the gap. It is this divine understanding of who we are that empowers what we are called to do.

With great intention, Jesus has made us into something more in order that we might have more to give. He has brought us high in order to send us low. We are not servants that serve. We are sons that serve. We are daughters that serve. We are friends that serve. We know who we are, and the riches of grace we possess as God's family. Then we give it all away, just like a servant. That's the business of Jesus. That’s our identity in Christ.

Guard Your Heart

Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life. -Proverbs 4:23

This is a verse we hear often but one that is oftentimes a struggle for many. This verse tells us that guarding our heart is so important because it is the SOURCE of life and everything flows through it. Since this is the case, it is no question as to why Satan makes our heart his main target. When we realize the importance of having a healthy heart, we make it a priority to protect it.

Guarding our heart looks like protecting, defending, and keeping it out of harm's way. So what does this look like in our life? It looks like being careful about what you watch, what kind of music you turn on, the people that you are surrounded by and that are pouring into you daily.

Are these things that bring you closer to the Lord or further from Him? We must anchor our hearts to the word of God. Psalm 119:11 says,

Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You.

To guard our heart from evil, we must cover our heart in the truth. We must guard our hearts with much intent because from it flows everything. What steps are you actively taking in guarding your heart this week?

My Three Dads

As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. -John 15:9

My dad is Rick Shurtz or “Kingfish!” My other, soon to be dad is Randy Johnston or “Pop!” And there’s my Heavenly Father or “Big Guns!” When my dad and Randy met, they hit it off! Talking about the Cardinals, watching the game, talking about life, laughing, and shaking their heads at me for doing something or saying something dumb!

Growing up I never wanted “that look” from my dad. The look of,” I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed.” Nor do I want that look from the other two! We have all felt that and hopefully none of us ever got that look! How often have we wondered what God thinks about the things we do? When we get to Heaven will we get that look we have long feared? Or will we stand tall and say, “I have fought the good fight and I have finished the race!”

The thing is none of us can really do that ourselves nor do we deserve to have God’s love or forgiveness, but he gives it to us willingly and freely! My dad could have written me off after times I disappointed him! My soon to be father-in-law could have not given me his blessing. God could have never given me those thousands of second chances! But my Dad has never wrote me off, Pop believes in me, and God has never quit on me!

So, with Father’s Day quickly approaching let the dads you have in your life know that you are blessed to be their son, their son-in-law, and their child!  Happy Father’s Day Kingfish, Pop, and Big Guns!

Love and Honor

A few weeks back I was giving my 7-year-old nephew a ride home after church. We were stopped in traffic next to a cemetery where a large family group was gathered decorating graves. My nephew asked what all the people were doing in the graveyard. I explained they were putting flowers out to show love and honor for their family.

He thought about that for a minute. Then he said, “Well, that’s weird. They are already dead.” He paused a moment, then added, “They should have done that before they were dead!” Ahh, the wisdom of a child! It doesn’t cost a thing to honor others with our words, to show love with our actions.

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. -Romans 12:10, NIV

Take it from a 7-year-old, there is no better time than right now to tell someone you love them or to show some respect for a job well and faithfully done. In closing, I want you all to know it’s an honor to share my thoughts with you. Thank you for that privilege. Go show some love today! Honor God and make Him smile!