POSITIVE THINGS FIGURE INTO THE COST

Strangely enough, some positive things figure into the cost of servanthood.

Take careful note of verses 6-7,

. . .in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthfulin speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left. . .

He was still writing up a statement of what it's going to cost us to be a servant, but everything on this page of the list is positive. As positive as they may be, they are still included in the cost, because they are time-consuming. Their development and perfection requires personal disciples.

Have you ever been to a Ringling Brothers, Barnum and Bailey circus? They have three rings with acts going on simultaneously in all three rings and its just about all a spectator can do to keep with everything that's happening in the circus. There are also three rings of activity for the serving.

1. The first ring involves the negative pressures that we face as a consequence of our decision to serve.
2. The second ring involves the time and energy consumed in developing the positive qualities of a servant.
3. And we haven't even discussed the third ring, which is the actual work of serving. That will have to wait for another time.

CONCLUSION

As we wrap up this study, we need to understand how people will respond to our efforts. Paul said it would be a mixed response. Notice verse 8-10. Sometimes serving will bring glory; at other times it will bring dishonor. Sometimes it will result in a bad report; at other times a good report will be forthcoming. Sometimes people will recognize our genuineness, but there will be times when unfair people will call us impostors. Sometimes, you'll receive the recognition you deserve; at other times your servanthood will go unnoticed.

So the servanthood ride is like being on a roller coaster. You can expect ups and downs. The servant style of living is the only Christ like style. In Mark 10:45, Jesus said,

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.

Do you want to be a servant? You really can't answer that question until you know the cost? Once you know the cost, you must ask yourself the question, "Am I willing to pay the price?"

Norman Bales
Southern Hills Church of Christ
Norman's e-mail address: nlbales@allaboutfamilies.org

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