db 4 resond 1
Rita Lin
DB #2
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A. Why is taking on the role of a servant so difficult and so necessary for those who are committed to ministry?
One of the few reasons why taking the role of a servant is so difficult because of pride. Pride is the most hidden, secret, and deceitful of all sins. It is not visible from the eyes and deceitful of all sins.[1] Meyer states that pride’s fixation with self can only be cured with humility’s forgetfulness of self.[2] The spiritual awakening event or transformation from dead to life helps the transition from pride to humble, at once our eyes are opened to see the glory of Christ on the cross (2 Cor. 4:3-4). Before my conversion 6 years ago, I was proud of myself. However, once I encountered Jesus, I realized that without Him, I can do nothing.
Another reason why taking the role of a servant is difficult is because the presence of an idol in our life or having two masters. Jesus warns that ‘ No one can serve two masters , since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other (Matt 6:24). An idol replaces God. Ministers need to examine what their treasure is, what occupies the heart, the center of one’s personality.[3] Jesus teaches us to seek the Kingdom of God first.
Taking on the role of a servant is necessary for ministry work because it serves as a living statement of who we are in Christ. The way how we treat one another, and how we demonstrate the love of Christ to the whole world is the evidence that we are the follower of Christ or His disciple (John 13:35).
B. How does one nurture the attitude and lifestyle that places others above oneself?
One can place others above oneself through the process of sanctification. It takes practice; someone who is good in a sport must practice every day. Paul encourages us to look out for others’ interests when he states, “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his interests, but also to the interests of others (Philippians 2:3-4).”
C. Provide concrete examples from your observations or experiences of a “kingdom leadership” pattern, as discussed in Howell, chapter 16.
The section of unprofitable servants (Luke 17:1-10) or forgiveness reminds me of the most inspiring story of Corrie Ten Boom. She experienced the greatest lesson about forgiveness one day in 1947 when she was speaking about forgiveness at a church in Germany. She saw a man who tortured her and her sister in the concentration camp. The man said, “I am now Christian, I found Jesus. I have forgiveness for the cruelties I have done. I have asked God’s grace for an opportunity that I could ask one of my victims’ forgiveness. Will you forgive me?
Corrie Ten Boom remembered Romans 5:5, “The love of God has shed abroad into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who is given to us. Thank you, Jesus, that you have brought into my heart God’s love through the Holy Spirit who was given to me. Thank you, Father that Your love is stronger than my hatred!
Footnotes
[1] Marshall Segal, Killjoys, (Minneapolis: Desiring God, 2015), 2.
[2] Ibid., 2.
[3] Don Howell, Servants of the Servant (Eugene: Wipf & Stock Publisher, 2003), 170.
Bibliography
Howell, Don. Servants of the Servant. Eugene: Wipf & Stock publisher, 2003.
Marshall, Segal. Killjoys: The Seven Deadly Sins. Minneapolis: Desiring God, 2015.
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