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"Bondservants To His Love"

• "Have this attitude in yourself which was also in Christ Jesus, who although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant and being made in the likeness of men..." (Phil.2:5-7). 
  
  

Bondservant for no Earthly Reward

The Lord Jesus Christ, King of kings and Lord of lords, entered this world in the humble form of a bondservant. That the Lord of glory should manifest Himself to the world in such a lowly form seems to be a contradiction, for the humility of spirit is foolishness to worldly rulers.

But this is the pattern given by the Father for those who would share in His ministry. The scriptures define a bondservant as a love slave, a person bound to serve a master without wages. The bondservant's sole motivation is love. 

Jesus, who was called to serve the Father out of a pure heart of love, who expected no earthly reward, set the example for us today who would desire to serve Him and His kingdom's purposes. 

The apostle Paul, who declared himself a bondservant of the Lord also, wrote that we are to have the same attitude as Christ. He is the pattern-Son. To share in His ministry, we must follow His example and empty ourselves also at the foot of the cross. 

To serve the Lord in His end-time purposes, we must seek this same degree of selflessness and humility. God wants a company of bondservants, who love Him above any earthly reward, lay up their treasures in heaven, and find their reward in the heavenlies. 

Bondservants are called of the Lord. Many have such a calling in their life. After a calling is received, a testing and trial period occurs to refine their faith, hope, and love. It's during our trials that our degree of commitment to the Lord is made manifest.

The Spiritual Warfare

Some choose not to go on with their trials, as the price to self is too high. But others choose abandonment to God at any cost. Such tests are necessary to walk in the Spirit successfully in the coming days ahead of us. The time is fast approaching when the saints will rise to take the kingdom. 

The spiritual warfare, with all temptations and oppressions, will be intense. Just as a present-day soldier is prepared for combat in boot camp, so will His present-day army of bondservants need such critical spiritual military preparation by the Holy Spirit. 

Many, who do not press on in their trials because the price of total self-surrender is too high, are consequently not chosen. But those who don't love their lives unto death, but yield all to Him, become the chosen of the Lord. They are found faithful in the furnace of affliction.

It is these who will walk in His paths following the Lamb wherever he goes. The key to victory amid trials is to be able to praise Him in all circumstances. It is these selfless ones who qualify to be called the bondservants for the Lord. 

God ultimately sets His chosen bondservants free from their intense period of trial. He brings healing, comfort, and restoration to their souls. He equips them with an armor sufficient to overcome the world, the flesh, and the devil. 

He then binds them to His heart and perfect will. He fills them with the power of His righteousness, thus energizing them for an overcoming lifestyle. He leads them on the path of life. They will be utterly free in their servitude. 

The joy of such bondservants will be more than any joy found in the world. God brings about a beautiful union of His divinity with their humanity, creating a life that radiates righteousness, peace, and joy. 

Heed the Call

The world will marvel at such a mighty army bringing the blessings of the kingdom of God to the four corners of the earth. Bondservants are thus devoted to the love of God. They become of one heart and mind with the Lord. The Lord's purpose becomes their purpose. 

They become co-workers with the Lord in the task of establishing His kingdom. They become a people to whom the Lord reveals His heart's secrets. 

• "The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave to Him to show His bondservants, the things which shortly take place; and He sent and communicated it by His angel to His bondservant John…" (Rev.1:1). 

Do not expect the revelations of God's end-time purposes to come to the high-minded and the proud. It is the humble bondservants of the Lord who will have the mysteries of Christ revealed to them. It is those who have been called, chosen, and faithful who will share the confidence of the Lord. 

The greatest need for the church today is for a people to come forth who truly know the Lord intimately by the Spirit and are hearing a present life-giving Word from heaven. The Word of God in scripture and the life-giving Word of God that His bondservants are hearing from heaven will be the rock upon which he will build His church. 

Do you want to share His ministry? Then heed the call on your life and allow Him to test you and try you. The Lord commands us to love Him with our whole heart. The grace of God will successfully bring you through all your trials if your heart is fully after God.

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