~ Three Roles with Three Implications
~
Christians
are saints and are to be separate from the world system, subject to their leaders, and servants like their Lord.
Saints: “To all who are in Rome, beloved of God, called saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the
Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:7). “To the church of God which
is at Corinth, to those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called saints, with all who in every
place call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours: Grace to
you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians
1:2-3). [And other similar passages.]
Separate: “‘Don't become partners with those who reject
God. How can you make a partnership out of right and wrong? That’s not
partnership; that’s war. Is light best friends with dark? Does Christ go
strolling with the Devil? Do trust and mistrust hold hands? Who would think of
setting up pagan idols in God’s holy Temple? But that is exactly what we are,
each of us a temple in whom God lives. God Himself put it this way: ‘I’ll live
in them, move into them; I’ll be their God and they'll be My people. So leave
the corruption and compromise; leave it for good,’ says God. ‘Don't link up
with those who will pollute you. I want you all for Myself. I’ll be a Father to
you; you’ll be sons and daughters to Me.’ The Word of the Master, God” (2
Corinthians 6:14-18, The Message). Jesus said, “I have given them Your word; and the world has hated
them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world”
(John 17:14). “They
are not of the world, just as I am not of the world” (John
17:16).
Subjects
~ Christians are to be in subjection to their leaders and obedient
to the laws of the land. “Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities.
For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are
appointed by God” (Romans 13:1). “Remind them
to be subject to rulers and
authorities, to obey, to be ready for
every good work” (Titus 3:1).
Servants ~
Christians are to be like their
Lord and provide service to those
around them in the world. “So Jesus said to them
again, ‘Peace to you! As the Father has
sent Me, I also send you’” (John 20:21). “For even the Son of Man did not
come to be served, but to serve, and
to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).
summary: Our role as saints demands separation. Our
role as subjects demands obedience. Our role of becoming increasingly
Christ-like demands service to others.
How about you? Are you separate,
obedient, and serving?
What other key roles and resulting
implications can you suggest?
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW
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