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Tuesday, February 22, 2011, 12:03 a.m. I woke up around midnight with the song Jesus, Keep me Near the Cross going through my mind. I could not get back to sleep, so I got up to hear from God anything he might want to say to me. Before I even got out of bed, the title to this writing (journal entry) came into my mind. I believe the Lord Jesus placed it in my thoughts. As I sat down to hear from the Lord, I prayed, Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening. Then, I read Romans 15:1-13:
My Understanding: Since the Lord gave me the title, Suffering Servant, I knew this was to be the focus of the message he had for me this morning. As I considered this passage of scripture, thus, against this idea of a (or the) suffering servant, I believe the Lord would have me look at seven aspects of a suffering servant in relation to this scripture passage.
A suffering servant is thus one who:
Bears with the failings of the weak
The weak is in reference back to the subject matter of the previous chapter (chap. 14). There the weak are described as those whose faith in Jesus Christ does not permit them to eat meat. This is in contrast to the strong whose faith and whose understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ allows them to recognize that food has no spiritual significance, with the exception of gluttony, which is considered sinful. In chapter 14 we, as true believers in Jesus Christ, are instructed to not judge our brother or sister in Christ, whether he or she is one who has the freedom to eat meat or is one whose faith does not permit the eating of meat. So, the weak, could thus be described as those who are immature in faith or who have not yet reached that point in their spiritual development to where they understand fully the freedoms they have in Christ Jesus (not freedom to sin or to indulge in the sinful nature). So, to bear with the failings of the weak is not in reference to allowing or to tolerating sinful behavior, but rather is in reference to allowing for differences of opinion on disputable matters (not matters of sin, but matters of personal conscience or preference).
Pleases his neighbor for his good
Here we are instructed that our goal in life should not be to please ourselves, but rather to please our neighbors for their good, to build them up in the Lord. I believe, when we think about pleasing other people, we often think of things we can do that they like or that would make them happy. This could carry over to indulging their sinful behavior or even in joining with them in sin if we dont have the correct understanding of what this means. To please someone can mean to satisfy or fulfill a need in his or her life in order to bring about true contentment. To satisfy can also mean to convince or assure or even to persuade someone. Then, it says for his good, which means for what is right (how it ought to be; moral; decent; upright; blameless). And, it is for the purpose to build him up. Many people have the misunderstanding of what this means to where they think we should just go around patting people on the back with no thought to their sin or to their relationship with Jesus Christ. To build is to shape, form, assemble, develop, encourage, etc. So, if we are going to build someone up for his good in order to please him, then this would mean that we are to carefully and lovingly instruct this other believer in the faith, bearing patiently with those whose faith is weak, for the express purpose of helping him grow in faith, develop godly habits, being shaped into the image of Christ, and encouraging obedience, so that the person will be how he ought to be morally upright, decent, blameless, and obedient.
Follows the example of Christ
Christ Jesus did not please himself, but rather he took upon himself the insults of those who rebuff, snub or scorn God the Father. We, too, if we are truly following Jesus Christ, will face the insults of those who are an offense to Christ and to the gospel by how they live their lives while calling themselves Christians. Even though Jesus Christ was faced with reproach, mocking, slurs against his character, etc., on a regular basis, he remained faithful to the Father and faithful to his purpose and mission in life, which was to suffer for our sake and to die on the cross for our sins so that we could go free. And, we should follow Christs example in being willing to share in the fellowship of Christs sufferings and to be treated as he was treated in order that we might share the truth of the gospel and that we might build up those in Christ for their good (what is right) so that those to whom we minister as suffering servants will be shaped into the image of Christ, will grow in their faith, will develop godly habits by first of all ridding themselves of sinful behaviors, and will walk in victory, in freedom in Christ, with full hope in Gods promises, and in fellowship with the Spirit of God who is at work within them to bring them to maturity in Christ Jesus.
Has hope through encouragement of scripture
The scriptures were written for our benefit to instruct, train in godliness, give counsel, direction, encourage, uplift, rebuke, correct and to give hope for the present and the future. As we live out the Christian life, and as we grow in our understanding of what it truly means to follow the example of Christ Jesus in being a suffering servant in order that others might grow in their faith and understanding of who God is and who they are to be in Christ, it will involve much endurance suffering, withstanding opposition and the trials of life, standing on our faith in the face of rejection, ridicule, false accusations, etc., and continuing, persisting and persevering in our faith even when we dont understand all that is happening to us or why it is happening, or even though we may not comprehend Gods ultimate purposes in allowing certain things into our lives. The scriptures are Gods words of encouragement to us to remain faithful and to hold fast to our hope in Christ Jesus.
Is given a spirit of unity
Unity is a word that is often misunderstood and misapplied to the believer in Jesus Christ. I find that there is a movement in the church and in the government to force unity of mind on the basis of mans philosophies and teachings, not on the word of God. This kind of unity forces compliance with man and his objectives in order to bring about totalitarian rule, both in the church and in the government of the people. This kind of unity does not allow for differences of opinion or giftings but asks its followers to all become of the same mind as the leader, whether or not that leader is following Jesus Christ or not. This is not the kind of unity being spoken of here in this passage of scripture or throughout scriptural teachings. Speaking on the subject of disputable matters, this kind of unity allows for those differences without judgment as to who is right and who is wrong. Also, the kind of unity spoken of in scripture is a united effort to follow the pattern of Christ Jesus with our lives.
Accepts others as Christ accepts us
Christ Jesus accepts us on the basis of his grace - his provision of salvation from sin - and our faith - our heart response to what he did for us in dying for our sins. This heart response of faith is accomplished by us dying to our sin and being raised with Christ to a new life in Christ, free from the penalty, control of and bondage to sin. So, to accept one another as Christ Jesus has accepted us means to accept that other believers, though they may have differences of doctrine and practice (as allowed by God under disputable matters), are no different or less than us in any respect other than in the area of disputable matters that dont matter in eternity as to our genuine relationship with Jesus Christ. So, we need to accept others faith as genuine in the same manner or criteria that God requires for acceptance in Christ without judging on differences of opinion on matters that are not critical to our ultimate salvation and destiny in eternity with or without God.
Overflows with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit
The hope of salvation was first given to the Jews and they were the ones who were to then take the message of the gospel to the Gentiles, as it is clear throughout scripture that God intended for Gentiles, too, to hear the good news and to put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. So, whether Jew or Gentile, we can have hope in Christ Jesus because of what he did for us in dying on the cross for our sins, if we individually make the decision to place our faith and trust in Jesus Christ by applying to our own lives what he did for us in conquering death, hell, Satan and sin. When we consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to Christ, as evidenced by our lives, we will be filled to overflowing with the hope, joy and peace that is ours through faith in Christ Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit at work within us in making us holy vessels, fit for the Masters use.
Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross / Fanny J. Crosby / William H. Doane
Jesus, keep me near the cross;
There a precious fountain,
Free to all, a healing stream,
Flows from Calvary's mountain.
Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the bright and morning star
Sheds its beams around me.
Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day
With its shadow o'er me.
Near the cross I'll watch and wait,
Hoping, trusting ever,
Till I reach the golden strand
Just beyond the river.
In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever,
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.
My Understanding: Since the Lord gave me the title, Suffering Servant, I knew this was to be the focus of the message he had for me this morning. As I considered this passage of scripture, thus, against this idea of a (or the) suffering servant, I believe the Lord would have me look at seven aspects of a suffering servant in relation to this scripture passage.
A suffering servant is thus one who:
Bears with the failings of the weak
The weak is in reference back to the subject matter of the previous chapter (chap. 14). There the weak are described as those whose faith in Jesus Christ does not permit them to eat meat. This is in contrast to the strong whose faith and whose understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ allows them to recognize that food has no spiritual significance, with the exception of gluttony, which is considered sinful. In chapter 14 we, as true believers in Jesus Christ, are instructed to not judge our brother or sister in Christ, whether he or she is one who has the freedom to eat meat or is one whose faith does not permit the eating of meat. So, the weak, could thus be described as those who are immature in faith or who have not yet reached that point in their spiritual development to where they understand fully the freedoms they have in Christ Jesus (not freedom to sin or to indulge in the sinful nature). So, to bear with the failings of the weak is not in reference to allowing or to tolerating sinful behavior, but rather is in reference to allowing for differences of opinion on disputable matters (not matters of sin, but matters of personal conscience or preference).
Pleases his neighbor for his good
Here we are instructed that our goal in life should not be to please ourselves, but rather to please our neighbors for their good, to build them up in the Lord. I believe, when we think about pleasing other people, we often think of things we can do that they like or that would make them happy. This could carry over to indulging their sinful behavior or even in joining with them in sin if we dont have the correct understanding of what this means. To please someone can mean to satisfy or fulfill a need in his or her life in order to bring about true contentment. To satisfy can also mean to convince or assure or even to persuade someone. Then, it says for his good, which means for what is right (how it ought to be; moral; decent; upright; blameless). And, it is for the purpose to build him up. Many people have the misunderstanding of what this means to where they think we should just go around patting people on the back with no thought to their sin or to their relationship with Jesus Christ. To build is to shape, form, assemble, develop, encourage, etc. So, if we are going to build someone up for his good in order to please him, then this would mean that we are to carefully and lovingly instruct this other believer in the faith, bearing patiently with those whose faith is weak, for the express purpose of helping him grow in faith, develop godly habits, being shaped into the image of Christ, and encouraging obedience, so that the person will be how he ought to be morally upright, decent, blameless, and obedient.
Follows the example of Christ
Christ Jesus did not please himself, but rather he took upon himself the insults of those who rebuff, snub or scorn God the Father. We, too, if we are truly following Jesus Christ, will face the insults of those who are an offense to Christ and to the gospel by how they live their lives while calling themselves Christians. Even though Jesus Christ was faced with reproach, mocking, slurs against his character, etc., on a regular basis, he remained faithful to the Father and faithful to his purpose and mission in life, which was to suffer for our sake and to die on the cross for our sins so that we could go free. And, we should follow Christs example in being willing to share in the fellowship of Christs sufferings and to be treated as he was treated in order that we might share the truth of the gospel and that we might build up those in Christ for their good (what is right) so that those to whom we minister as suffering servants will be shaped into the image of Christ, will grow in their faith, will develop godly habits by first of all ridding themselves of sinful behaviors, and will walk in victory, in freedom in Christ, with full hope in Gods promises, and in fellowship with the Spirit of God who is at work within them to bring them to maturity in Christ Jesus.
Has hope through encouragement of scripture
The scriptures were written for our benefit to instruct, train in godliness, give counsel, direction, encourage, uplift, rebuke, correct and to give hope for the present and the future. As we live out the Christian life, and as we grow in our understanding of what it truly means to follow the example of Christ Jesus in being a suffering servant in order that others might grow in their faith and understanding of who God is and who they are to be in Christ, it will involve much endurance suffering, withstanding opposition and the trials of life, standing on our faith in the face of rejection, ridicule, false accusations, etc., and continuing, persisting and persevering in our faith even when we dont understand all that is happening to us or why it is happening, or even though we may not comprehend Gods ultimate purposes in allowing certain things into our lives. The scriptures are Gods words of encouragement to us to remain faithful and to hold fast to our hope in Christ Jesus.
Is given a spirit of unity
Unity is a word that is often misunderstood and misapplied to the believer in Jesus Christ. I find that there is a movement in the church and in the government to force unity of mind on the basis of mans philosophies and teachings, not on the word of God. This kind of unity forces compliance with man and his objectives in order to bring about totalitarian rule, both in the church and in the government of the people. This kind of unity does not allow for differences of opinion or giftings but asks its followers to all become of the same mind as the leader, whether or not that leader is following Jesus Christ or not. This is not the kind of unity being spoken of here in this passage of scripture or throughout scriptural teachings. Speaking on the subject of disputable matters, this kind of unity allows for those differences without judgment as to who is right and who is wrong. Also, the kind of unity spoken of in scripture is a united effort to follow the pattern of Christ Jesus with our lives.
Accepts others as Christ accepts us
Christ Jesus accepts us on the basis of his grace - his provision of salvation from sin - and our faith - our heart response to what he did for us in dying for our sins. This heart response of faith is accomplished by us dying to our sin and being raised with Christ to a new life in Christ, free from the penalty, control of and bondage to sin. So, to accept one another as Christ Jesus has accepted us means to accept that other believers, though they may have differences of doctrine and practice (as allowed by God under disputable matters), are no different or less than us in any respect other than in the area of disputable matters that dont matter in eternity as to our genuine relationship with Jesus Christ. So, we need to accept others faith as genuine in the same manner or criteria that God requires for acceptance in Christ without judging on differences of opinion on matters that are not critical to our ultimate salvation and destiny in eternity with or without God.
Overflows with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit
The hope of salvation was first given to the Jews and they were the ones who were to then take the message of the gospel to the Gentiles, as it is clear throughout scripture that God intended for Gentiles, too, to hear the good news and to put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. So, whether Jew or Gentile, we can have hope in Christ Jesus because of what he did for us in dying on the cross for our sins, if we individually make the decision to place our faith and trust in Jesus Christ by applying to our own lives what he did for us in conquering death, hell, Satan and sin. When we consider ourselves dead to sin and alive to Christ, as evidenced by our lives, we will be filled to overflowing with the hope, joy and peace that is ours through faith in Christ Jesus, by the power of the Holy Spirit at work within us in making us holy vessels, fit for the Masters use.
Jesus, Keep Me Near the Cross / Fanny J. Crosby / William H. Doane
Jesus, keep me near the cross;
There a precious fountain,
Free to all, a healing stream,
Flows from Calvary's mountain.
Near the cross, a trembling soul,
Love and mercy found me;
There the bright and morning star
Sheds its beams around me.
Near the cross! O Lamb of God,
Bring its scenes before me;
Help me walk from day to day
With its shadow o'er me.
Near the cross I'll watch and wait,
Hoping, trusting ever,
Till I reach the golden strand
Just beyond the river.
In the cross, in the cross,
Be my glory ever,
Till my raptured soul shall find
Rest beyond the river.
This is a good thing. In the diversity of life is great joy.
