Who am I living for?

When James opened his letter, ( The Epistle of James ) he used a very simple word to describe himself. And, he used this word in relationship to both Jesus Christ, and God. He then went on to greet those whom he was writing too.

So, what did he say? He called himself a "bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ"

James 1:1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings.

So, what is a bondservant? The word bondservant, comes from a word meaning to bind, to tie, and to fasten, to be in bonds. And, it came to mean, a slave, a servant. A servant in that culture, was one who gave him, or herself up to another's will.

In this context, James meant, that he had given up his life in service to be used by Jesus Christ in extending and advancing His cause among men in this world.

He saw himself as one who was devoted to the Lord Jesus Christ, to the disregard of his own interests. He was an attendant to Christ, he was a servant of Christ.

Some additional ways of describing and defining this word are. A voluntary act of service, prompted by love or duty. It's specifically speaking of one who serves in relation to a person. It was also used to describe the men on ships who were Under-Rowers. That is, they were down on the bottom of the ship, pulling oars at the lowest level. There was at least one level above them, if not more, but the under-rowers were considered the lowest of the low in that sense. They were in submission, they were in a subordinate position under a superior.

So, James was living for God and for Jesus Christ. He was their servant. He did it out of love, it was a voluntary act, no one was forcing him to do it. He wanted to do it.

It's a good question to ask ourselves, "Who am I living for?" There is an appeal made in Rom 12:1 for those who have been saved to be just like James, and just like Paul, and that is to be servants of God.

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.

The idea there in Rom 12:1 is to make ourselves available to God, to place ourselves at His disposal, and seek to carry out His will first and foremost before anything and anyone else.

Paul says that this is actually the only reasonable thing to do in light of the fact, that God has by His mercies saved us. It's our reasonable service and worship.

It's the logical thing to do. In light of what God has done for us, then it follows, and is reasonable for us to present our lives to Him.

To present, to place our lives beside the Lord, to at His disposal, to yield to Him, to be at hand to the Lord. ( By the way, the language used in Rom 12:1 speaks really of a once and for all decision. In other words, the christian is called to make a commitment of their lives once and for all to the Lord )

Well, it's a great question. "Who am I living for?"

Father, I want to live for You. And, I'm sure that deep down in the heart of any christian, that desire is there also. You have saved us Lord, it's by Your mercies that we are saved. You have done for us what we could not do for ourselves. Thank You.

Pastor Bob Grenier

Calvary Chapel Visalia

Application/Promise

1. Go for it.

2. He is waiting.

3. God will receive you.

4. It's the logical thing to do.

5. Servanthood is the pathway to God's will.

6. Servanthood is based on the gifts God has given you.

7. What an exciting life to serve God.

8. God will lead you, and use you.

9. Let's live for Him.