by Linda G. Hull

Created on: April 13, 2010   Last Updated: April 15, 2010

Becoming a servant to God is not a role reserved only for pastors and priests, but is a privilege afforded to all who love God and His Son, Jesus.  A good servant to God requires no special training and has no specific job description except to love God and to love others. 

Sounds easy, doesn’t it?  Many forsake the opportunity of service to God because they misunderstand the nature of the role of servant.  Following is a discussion of specific concepts that explain the role of being a servant to God.

What is the biblical understanding of being a servant to God?

A true servant of God will hate his own life, and will seek to please God.   When the Bible speaks of hating one’s own life, it is referring to a willingness to put aside one’s personal agenda and replacing it with God’s agenda. 

John 12:26 reminds us that the servant of God is actually a disciple who will follow Him not just on Sunday in the work of the church, but in all areas of life.  The Greek translation of the word for “follower” is one who walks in the same way as another.  We can understand that God expects His servants to emulate Jesus, His Son, because Jesus is God in the flesh.  

Another way to explain the Biblical concept of “following” is to become Christ-like.  The servant who loves his Master will seek to become more Christ-like in all his ways.  The transformation will occur naturally as knowledge and understanding of God grows.  We learn what God is like when we learn what Jesus is like. 

How can we relate this concept to Westernised people today?

Servanthood is difficult for many to embrace because it conjures up thoughts of servitude and subservience, even thoughts of slavery.  However the Biblical concept teaches that servanthood means to prefer others over oneself. 

God commands that those who follow Him must become like Him, but He gives everyone the choice to follow Him.  No one is compelled.

In the Old Testament in Exodus 21, there is told of a special ritual for bondservants who give up their earned freedom, preferring to remain a lifelong servant to their master.  After the time of service is completed, a bondservant who chooses lifelong service undergoes a ritual ear piercing.  The master bores a hole in the ear of the servant with an awl, signifying the servant’s commitment to stay with the master and serve him for the rest

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