Servant of Christ

Deuteronomy 13-15; Galatians 1

“Paul, an apostle - sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead - and all the brothers with me…If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.”

Galatians 1:1, 10

Paul’s clarity of calling, received by revelation from Jesus Christ, shaped his understanding of the gospel and his freedom in ministry. Paul was not beholden to any organization or person. He wasn’t controlled by a salary, job description, or even local governing board. Yet, wherever he went, Paul lived in mutual submission to the elders in Jerusalem and local leaders in the church. His inner submission to Christ meant that Paul viewed himself as the servant of all. He became “all things to all people,” so that he could win them for Christ (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).

Are we free to receive gospel-assignments from the Lord?

Are we pleasing Jesus Christ first, and serving others to influence them for the gospel of Christ?

This combination of both freedom and humble submission marked Paul’s life and ministry and is the Lord’s invitation to those he calls.

“Lord Jesus, I am yours. Your call defines my life and my best contributions in your mission, for your glory.”