Servant of the Lord Jesus Christ

“James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the Dispersion.” James 1:1

Wow, just how much can you pack into one verse? This isn’t the first time that the subject of servitude has come up in this column, but since it’s a recurring biblical theme it only seems appropriate that we visit it once more.

What does it mean to be a servant? Well, to be a servant to someone indicates that someone else has a certain claims to your time and talents either voluntarily or by compulsion.

Then what must it mean to be a servant of God? To be a servant of God is acknowledge and honor God for who he is and humbly submit our time and talents to him forevermore. There are many Old Testament characters that could be labeled servants of God; Abraham, the nomadic farmer; Moses the herdsman; Nehemiah who worked in King’s court; David, King of Israel; Joshua the great military leader; the list could go on. But that’s enough to establish a pattern. All these men were servants of God—even in their everyday occupations and in everyday situations.

So, can we be servants of God in our everyday occupations and in everyday situations? Absolutely. Not only servants of God the Father, but also servants of the Lord Jesus Christ! Thomas Manton says of this claim: “Well, then, James is not only God’s servant by the right of creation and providence, but Christ’s servant by the right of redemption.” He goes so far as to imply that we were redeemed for the very purpose of servitude: “In Christ God hath a new claim in you, and ye are bought with his blood, that ye may be his servants.” Redeemed for the King’s service—what a thought!

In the New Testament, there is no greater example of a servant than that of the Apostle Paul. In Philippians 3:8-9 the Paul shares his thoughts on being a servant of Christ. Suffice it to say that Paul counted anything other than servitude to Christ as his loss. Paul’s Christian life was not easy. As a matter of fact, it was filled with difficulty and fraught with danger. Yet, Paul gladly happily persevered as a servant of Christ.

Here’s an important thought that you can put to good use this week. This week I challenge you to begin to think biblically in everyday situations by beginning to think of yourself as a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ—regardless of your circumstances. Face each day by inserting your name in the place of James. _________, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Ken Askew

Politics in Perspective

“And he made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,” ESV Acts 17:26-27

A reader sent me this thought provoking question last week: “How should I think Biblically about this new president and all the 'changes' he is making, particularly those that go against Scripture?” Hmmm. Well, that’s sort of two questions; one about the man and the second about his decisions. But the answer is the same for each.

The question betrays two things about the reader. First, that he genuinely desires to think biblically in regards to our country and secondly, the he is trying to bring Scripture to bear on an everyday situation—both are admirable. His question made me think about an article written back in November before anyone knew who had won the election. And you know what? The same biblical principles apply today after the election.

Biblical thinking begins with prayer. So, as we consider how to think biblically regarding the office of president and President Obama himself, Christians should consider prayer for the President of utmost importance. Sincere, heartfelt prayer has a way of putting things into perspective that removes our biases and preconceived notions from the equation. Prayer is like a salve to the petitioner that promotes humility. Have you ever noticed how it’s hard to be angry with someone you’re praying for?

Biblical thinking also acknowledges and affirms God’s Word in all situations. So, Christians should take heart in the fact that God himself has ordained the “allotted periods and the boundaries” of our nation. God has most assuredly ordained the term and tenure of President Obama and our other elected leaders. And no decree or decision (biblical or unbiblical) escapes his all-knowing, searching eyes. Now, to know why God allows decrees and decisions that seemingly violate his word would be to know the mind of God and we don’t know the mind of God and his ways are not our ways. His viewpoint is infinitely greater than our viewpoint; he sees things perfectly from eternity past to eternity future while see but a glimpse through sin tainted eyes.

Biblical thinking takes action based on scripture. I was reminded in a sermon just this past Sunday that Christ didn’t engage in political activism. Instead, Christ focused on the task the Father had sent Him to accomplish. Likewise, we are to do the same. The actions of others are beyond our control but for our own actions we must one day give an account. Makes you think seriously about being about the Father’s business doesn’t it?

So, my answer is threefold: Seek God in prayer. Trust in the truthfulness of God’s Word. Live your life according to Scripture. Do these three things and you can confidently face today and look towards tomorrow.

Ken Askew

Words to Live By

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. ESV Hebrews 4:12-13

More than once I’ve heard people say that they just don’t understand the Bible. You’ve probably heard that same comment. The best observation I’ve heard regarding folks that make that comment came from Zig Ziglar. Zig says he’s convinced that “it’s not the parts they don’t understand that really bothers them.” And Zig is right.

I’ve been troubled lately by what I can only describe as a lack of biblical thinking—even among professing Christians; church goers if you will. It seems that all too often we relegate the bible to a position of importance in our lives as a fire extinguisher. That is, we know where it is in case of an emergency. And that’s unfortunate, because the bible is much more than an emergency tool; I’d go so far as to call it a life giving necessity. Our verse today describes it as being “sharper than any two-edged sword” and able to pierce to the inner most depths of our soul. Why then do we set it aside for emergency use only? Sadly, many people simply don’t want to know what the bible says for fear that it would crimp their plans. And quiet frankly, that attitude is more problematic than people who outright don’t a give a rip what the bible says; the latter being much less hypocritical than the former.

A friend of mine wrote a paper a few years ago on the sufficiency of scripture. As he worked on that paper, I think he practiced on me. We’d be talking about some everyday topic or issue and he’d say, with the slightest stutter, “Now Ken, lets think what the bible has to say about that.” And you know what, we could usually bring scripture to bear relatively quickly on whatever was weighing on our minds. In hindsight, I don’t mind the fact that he practiced on me because he made great strides in teaching me how to think biblically and approach every day issues with a Christian worldview. (By the way, John MacArthur edited a fine book titled Think Biblically! Recovering a Christian Worldview a few years back.) Now, I’m still learning how to think biblically—I’ve not arrived or mastered it by any stretch. But I do genuinely strive to think biblically.

The bible contains words to live by; words to guide us in our everyday lives. So, over the next several weeks we’ll look at what the bible has to say about some everyday issues. Perhaps it will cultivate a sincere desire in your heart to think biblically. No promises, but if you have a particular issue you’d like to see addressed in this column over the coming weeks, drop me an email and I’ll see what I can do. God bless.

-Ken Askew

Memory Lane

And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup that is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood. ESV Luke 22:19-20

I took a trip down memory lane last week. It began the moment I pulled that old quilt out of the closet. I’m not certain exactly how old the quilt is, but I am positive that it’s over thirty years old; I’m guessing thirty-three or so. It’s stained near the top where my name is embroidered and it has an aged smell about it. My grandmother Askew hand stitched the little fishermen that are on each square. And the irregular stitches throughout testify to the hand quilting.

My trip took a turn south and continued as I pulled down an afghan that my grandmother Kimbrough made for me. It’s heavy, with tight loops in the yarn. It’s the kind of comforter you’d pull down on the coldest of days with an eye towards the couch and a good book. In my mind’s eye I can still see her toiling away at it today twenty-five years or so later.

As I admire, touch and smell these heirlooms left by my grandmothers, a flood of memories comes over me. I recall romping at the “old home place” of each of them. One was about five miles north of Cherokee; the other about five miles to the south. As a child, I hunted on one home place and played in the creek and barn at the other. Memories of both are fond and vivid. And the memories of both and the hope of seeing them again are brought to my recollection by something as simple as a quilt and an afghan.

Christ left us with a simple ritual (some would say ordinance or sacrament) to bring to our recollection his death, burial, resurrection and his imminent return. The modern Protestant church refers to it as The Lord’s Supper. It was instituted at the last Passover meal that Christ shared with his disciples before he was betrayed. A meal meant to bring remembrance of the exodus from Egypt.

But that day Christ changed the order of the traditional meal. He broke with tradition and instituted a ritual for His disciples that was decidedly different. No longer would they celebrate their ancestor’s exodus and deliverance from Egyptian bondage by the blood of a lamb. No, henceforth they would celebrate their deliverance from the bondage of sin through the blood of The Lamb of God.

So, I urge you. The next time that bread is broken and the cup is passed at your church, take time to remember. Take time to recall that Christ purchased your redemption from sin with His body and with His blood. Recall that He rose from the grave. And remember His promise to return again for His church. As you take The Lord’s Supper, do so “in remembrance of [Him].”

-Ken Askew