164 – They must first be tested – V- The servant of God

And first, let them be tested; then, if they prove themselves blameless, let them be appointed

1 TIMOTHY 3:10 (CJB)

God does not choose people based on any qualification. He is more concerned with how the individual responds to trials. Psalm 12:6 says The words of the LORD are pure words, Like silver tried in a furnace of earth, Purified seven times. The number seven used here simply implies that the Word of God is tried to perfection. Jesus, being the Word of God was tested and He could boldly make the statement in John 14:30, “The prince of this world comes and finds nothing in me“. The Lord will have all His sons make the same statement. Today, we will continue on the meditation we began on the various kinds of testings we may encounter as believer and how to emerge victorious.

The Servant Test: John 13:1-17.

This test occurs when God gives us opportunity to be a servant and then checks our attitude towards service. The Word “minister or deacon” in today’s world is used as a title, but in actuality, it means a servant or a slave. Are you able to minister to an audience of one? Will you put as much effort into ministering to someone who cannot repay you versus when there is a crowd cheering you on. This test reveals whether we really want to serve people or whether we just want to be in the public eye. God’s leadership anointing is not to be a famous person, but to be a servant, like His Son Jesus. Jesus said,

Matthew 20:25-28
But Jesus called them to Himself and said, “You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their great men exercise authority over them. [26] It is not this way among you, but whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, [27] and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your slave; [28] just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

We don’t show up to be served, we show up to serve. The truth is that one cannot lead until he has learned to follow. This is the way of the master. The test comes to check and show us how dead to self we really are.

Jesus showed this when he served sinners, when he washed the feet of his disciples, including Judas Iscariot in John 13:1-17. Jesus considered himself a servant of God and by extension a servant of men for God’s sake. It didn’t make him any less God. He said greater works shall we do. This also means that we can do all the miracles He did and more. It also means we can serve our brothers and sisters to the degree He did and more, by His grace.

How to pass test: Passing this test – means being willing to do whatever God wants us to do, to be used in whatever way He wants to use us, regardless of who’s looking or how we feel about it. It is learning to be a servant in every area of life – washing feet behind the scenes at home, with your family, before you even start washing them as a leader in ministry. Keep the words of Jesus in Matthew 10:42, knowing that your labour of love will not be forgotten. You don’t know you have passed the test until someone, particularly your subordinate, treats you as a servant. Your Mantra in Life Should Be “HOW MAY I SERVE YOU?” First in a Your Family, Then To Other Believers, then to Those You Meet in the Market Place of Life. Develop a Servant’s Eye, Always Looking for an Opportunity to Serve!

Jesus said in Matthew 10:40-42
“He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. [41] He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. [42] And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.” It is okay to use this scripture as a motivation to serve. Your labour with God is not forgotten, Hebrews 6:10. Many will be surprised in the day when rewards are distributed, how the one who was not known, but served underground the most will seat in the seat of honour with the Lord, sharing in rewards for ministries he never actively participated in. Why? He was a servant of God and by extension, a servant of men for God’s sake.

Prayer for today: Lord Jesus, I look at Your life and I see one who is worthy of all honour and worship and service and love. Yet, You tied a towel around your waist and washed the feet of your disciples. I see in you a gentle and lowly King and I desire to be like You. Clothe me with Your humility that frees me to be a true servant of God and by extension a servant of all men for Your sake. Show me opportunities to serve today and give me the heart of a servant to serve as You would serve men, starting from my home, to your body and the rest of humanity. Amen.