About the Series
This series examines what the Bible teaches about Godly decision making.
In part 1 we learned that it is important for believers to know what they believe.
We talked about how those who cannot make informed, theologically literate decisions in the face of Biblical opposition will undoubtedly get swept away by the enemy.
However, those who are able to articulate Biblical, God-honoring responses to challenges to Biblical authority will be able to mature in Christ and stand firm.
These will find their resolve strengthened and they will be able to think clearly in a world overflowing with confusion.
Today, we continue the series by looking at Christian servanthood, and its implications for Godly decision making.
Remember That You Are God’s Servant
The next thing to remember that can help you make Godly decisions when your beliefs are challenged is that you are God’s servant and his purchased possession. (Eph. 1:14)
Those who trust Jesus Christ as their savior are purchased by his blood that was shed on the cross for their sins.
We are purchased by Jesus’s own blood. (Acts 20:28) He was the perfect sacrifice for our sins.
This is known as Jesus’s substitutionary atonement. It is what makes us righteous in God’s sight and is what justifies us when we come to believe in Jesus by faith. (1 Cor. 6:20, Rom. 3:28, 1 Jn. 3:16)
Additionally, when God purchases us, he also makes us servants to righteousness. (1 Pet. 2:16, Rom. 6:18)
This is part of the great holy transaction that takes place when lost sinners are born again.
Former slaves to Satan and sin become servants of God. Believers old selves are crucified with Christ in his death so that they no longer serve sin. (Rom. 6:6)
Thus, because of the high price God paid for us, and because we are his servants, we are to reverence, honor and glorify God in all areas of our life, including in the decisions we make. (Rom. 6:22)
Such a manner of living then is known as Christian servanthood. We live and make our decisions not for our own benefit, but for God’s.
“When God purchases us, he also makes us servants to righteousness.”Making Godly decisions then involves having a “servant mindset.” Such a mindset places God’s will before one’s own and it always acknowledges God. (Prov. 3:6)
This means there will be times when we have to take the hard road instead of the short and easy path.
It means we will have to put service before selfishness; obedience before impulsive desire.
Such a mindset hates every false way, and instead considers God’s word. (Ps. 119:104)
This mindset treats the Bible as a compass for life. It consults it daily, knowing that it is a lamp that lights the way. (Ps. 119:105)
While it isn’t always easy, we must also remember that the end for every Godly servant is heaven, and that we are working towards that goal for God in the here and now. (Matt. 25:23)
Not only that, but serving God through the decisions we make conforms us to his image. (Rom. 8:29)
Servants follow their master. Jesus knew this and he set an example for us that we might follow it, and we can only do so by making Godly decisions. (1 Pet. 2:21)
Christians who make decisions with servanthood to their savior in mind can be assured that God will never lead them astray as they follow him, and that his way is literally and truly the best way. (Prov. 3:6, Ps. 32:8)
For these reasons it is vital that we make decisions for God that are grounded in obedience and aimed towards holiness.
Practically speaking, we must continually make our decisions for God and not ourselves.
Such decision making enables us to be more like Jesus while also helping us cultivate eternal rewards.
Doing such fulfills God’s will and plan for us and his kingdom.
“He redeems and purchases us, makes us servants to his plan, and has us serve him to accomplish that plan.”This is because God chose us before the foundation of the world, “that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.” (Eph. 1:4)
God has chosen us (his workmanship) to serve him by doing specific things that he has pre-ordained for us to accomplish for him. (Eph. 2:10)
It’s all interconnected. God planned in eternity past for us to be conformed to the image of Jesus.
He then redeems and purchases us, makes us servants to his plan, and has us serve him to accomplish that plan.
Therefore, being a servant of God is a privilege. We serve God because he has a plan and purpose for us, and our decisions are to reflect that.
We serve and make decisions for him out of our great love for his salvation, to become like him and for eternal rewards in his kingdom where the fruits all of that we have done will be forever enjoyed by all of God’s redeemed. (Eph. 1:14)
Practically and ultimately, being a servant of God also means that we are not to serve man but God. (Gal. 1:10)
“We are first and foremost servants of God, not man.”Naturally, we are to honor man and those in positions of leadership and we are to obey those in authority as well, yet such obedience must be balanced and weighed against the extent to which such leadership honors God. (1 Pet. 2:14-15, Acts 5:29)
At the end of the day, we are first and foremost servants of God, not man.
So, in cases where man issues a directive that goes against scripture, we must ensure that our decisions related to such matters are made in service to our one and true king Jesus Christ.
Ultimately, Christians can make sound decisions in difficult times by realizing and accepting that the entirety of their life, including their decisions, is to revolve around service to God.
The Christian that makes decisions in light of knowing that he or she is God’s servant is wise.
Stay tuned for Part 3!
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