February 29: Disciplined Service

Wiley Richards is a retired professor of theology and philosophy at The Baptist College of Florida in Graceville.

We know what it is to be a five-star, disciplined Baptist. We attend Sunday morning, Sunday evening, Wednesday night, tithe, and participate in the brotherhood or WMU. Participation in church visitation is a bonus. We are more concerned in this lesson with the inner aspects of disciplined service.

• One constant concern is our attitude toward pride (Matt. 20:20-24). The desire of James and John reveals how deep-rooted is the desire for personal recognition.

Mary appeared before Jesus and voiced a personal request for them. Believing the earthly reign of Jesus was about to begin, they wanted to be seated on his left and right hand, positions symbolizing prestige and power. Their request enraged the other apostles (v. 24).

Instead of severely rebuking the two, Jesus redirected their theology. They agreed they had been immersed just as He had. The cup from which He drank and His suffering (26:39) would also be their lot. In the meanwhile, they must guard against proud boasting about special access to Christ.

• This brings us to the second inner aspect of the disciplined life, our actions toward others (vv. 25-28). We ought to take a hard look at what we do for others and why we do it. If we do a good deed for someone else, do we make sure the other person knows who helped? If we aid a destitute family, are we offended if they join some other church? If so, we border on being gracious as a means of manipulating others.

Jesus pointed the disciples to the business methods of the day as practiced by Gentile princes. They hand out gifts and benefits, much as Saddam Hussein did, to solidify their position. Jesus inverted the order. In His kingdom work, power does not flow from leaders at the top. The real power resides in those who serve most humbly. In this context, having a "Board of Deacons" is a contradiction in terms. The New Testament deacon is a servant, and servants do not organize themselves into boards. The Master runs the house.

• Disciplined service means also that we must cultivate our affections toward believers (Rom. 12:9-10). Jesus set the standard for believers when He commanded them to love one another as a demonstration to the world of their allegiance to Him (John 13:34-35). Love for each other is the distinguishing badge of the church. Their unfeigned love for each other rises out of their changed character. In contrast to this genuine love,

I am reminded of the attitude of the former coach of the Detroit Lions on how to relate to players. Monte Clark said: "The key to this whole business is sincerity. Once you can fake that, you’ve got it made" (Sports Illustrated, Sept. 1, 1997).

We treat our brothers and sisters in Christ with kind affection as is due a family member. We take the initiative with each other, seeing the best in what they do, making them look good in the eyes of the world.

• We demonstrate disciplined love by our attention toward circumstances (vv. 11-13). We do not let life determine whether we are happy or not. We are fervent in serving the Lord. In times of affliction, we patiently endure. In all circumstances, we rejoice in the hope of our Lord’s certain, and perhaps soon, return.

Whatever we possess, we share with others who are less fortunate. When life throws us a lemon, we use it to make lemonade because constant prayer ties us to the unsearchable riches in Christ Jesus. By prayer patience is perfected and hope is inspired.