NOT SERVANTS

Paul is not writing to the Galatians, and subsequently to us, to say that we are to cease being the servants of God. In fact he refers to himself by the very title of servant on many occasions in his writings. (see Rom. 1:1, Tit.1:1) He even instructs us to be both the servants of GOD and our fellow man. (see 1Cor.7:22, 9:19) The LORD JESUS said the pathway to greatness lay in being the servant of all(see Mt.23:11). Yet HE told HIS disciples, "Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth; but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my FATHER I have made known to you." (Jn.15:15)

We are not to cease being servants but we are to cease thinking like servants. Our service to the LORD and also our brethren is not to be done out of a sense of duty, but rather on of joy and gladness at having been given this privilege. Man's service to the LORD, under the law, was one which carried with it certain prescribed minimums of acceptable service. We are not to approach what we do for the LORD with an idea of reaching a minimum requirement but rather searching out how we might maximize our efforts of HIM. Rather than counting the hours we spend in service to HIM we should be more concerned with how much time we waste in frivolous pursuits which have no lasting value. Rather than counting our money carefully so that we can "tithe" we ought rather to seek out opportunities to give out of the abundance with which we have been blessed. Our giving is not to be according to some formula or percentage but rather out of a heart that gladly and obediently gives to HIM who has given everything to us. "Every man accordingly as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for GOLD loveth a cheerful giver." (II Cor.9:6)

A man who thinks like a servant is reluctant to go beyond what is absolutely required. It is very seldom that an employer can find a workman who is more concerned with performing the task at hand than what time he gets off or how much money he will be paid. This is to be expected in the men of this world but certainly should not be the mindset of the children of GOD. And how much more should we be mindful of serving GOD with our whole heart rather than a portion of it.

Man's religious nature will often compel him to perform certain acts of devotion but will also , and become satisfied when the required limits of service are met. We see this occur every Easter when churches experience an influx of the "faithful" not to see them return until the next spring. Such is the mindset that observes "days, and months, and times, and years."(see Gal. 4:10). Paul said these are "beggarly elements" that bring men into bondage. Now we are certain that the observance of such days as Christmas, Easter, Lent, and such like are not in themselves a bondage to the true believer. Yet when men consider the observance of certain days to be of holy significance and become enamored of them, they are in danger of leaving the simplicity of serving CHRIST. In fact many who call themselves believers gladly indulge themselves in pleasures during the week that they would never avail themselves of on the "Sabbath" or Sunday. "Let no man therefore judge you in meat or drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days: which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of CHRIST." (Col.2:16,17)

We are not called to be observers or keepers of days. We are not given a prescribed diet, no do we have a list of forbidden food and drink. "Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of GOD." (I Cor.10:31) "For the kingdom of GOD is not meat and drink: but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the HOLY GHOST," (Rom.14:17) Now the mindset of a servant would lead us to say that since all things are lawful and cannot ring us into condemnation, we will partake of all things without restraint. Yet the mindset of a son says, "all things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient; all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any, all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not." (I Cor.6:12, 10:23) A son says, I will not partake of things that control me or of things which do not help me and my brethren. The mindset of a servant is to satisfy himself while the mindset of a son is to please his FATHER.

Here is a table that contrasts the mindset of a servant and a son.

"For as many as are led by the SPIRIT of GOD, they are the sons of GOD." (Rom. 8:14) mam