Kenneth Gentry Jr. Shares How to be a Servant in Today's World
Cheryl C. Malandrinos
November 07, 2008
As Christians we are called to be servants. Dr. Kenneth L. Gentry Jr. is the author of Nourishment of the Word: Select Studies in Reformed Doctrine. I asked Dr. Gentry to share how we can be servants in today's world.
Christianity is a servant religion. That is, God intends that Christians serve others as they promote Godīs will. The Apostle Paul constantly called himself "a bond-servant of Jesus Christ" (Rom. 1:1; Gal 1:10; Php. 1:1; Col. 1:7; 4:7; 2 Tim. 2:24; Tit. 1:1). The same is true of James (Jms. 1:1), Peter (2 Pet. 1:1), Jude (Jude 1), and John (Rev. 1:1).
Christianity is not simply a collection of doctrines, though it is established on a set of revealed truths contained in the Bible. Christianity is actually a life that involves a particular lifestyle. This is why the early Christians were called people of "the way" (Acts 9:2; 19:9, 23; 24:14, 22): they lived a different style of life from their surrounding culture.
As a servant religion committed to a different style of living, we must live out our lives as testimonies to the world round about us. We are "on call" as Christians 24/7. Everything we do must testify of the love of Christ that dwells in us. This is beautifully captured in the Old Testament, where we see that the godly father is to teach his son the things of god in every phase of life, including the mundane things:
"And these words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart; and you shall teach them diligently to your sons and shall talk of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. And you shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead. And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." (Deut. 6:6-9)
In these words we see that even our walking, sitting, and resting must be teaching experiences. For instance, we do not walk with an evil crowd, or walk to engage evil work. We do not sleep through the day, avoiding labor. And so forth. Our every daily action is to exhibit a life lived in obedience to God.
With so many controversies upsetting our culture, with so many difficulties impeding our social lives, Christians must strive to "walk the walk," to live out the implications of their faith. We must understand that it is really true that "actions speak louder than words." Oftentimes when we fail to reach someone through a direct word of testimony, we find that our faithful living can eventually reach that same person. They see our lives as happy, fulfilled, and consistent. And they realize we have something different.
Christians must live out their high calling as witnesses to the gospel, not only through word, but through deed. Our faithful living can have an impact on those around us. As our Lord Jesus expresses it:
"You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how will it be made salty again? It is good for nothing anymore, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp, and put it under the peck-measure, but on the lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven." (Matt. 5:13-16)
Will you "walk the walk" this holiday season?
For more about Nourishment from the Word visit www.nordskogpublishing.com.
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