June 9, 2013 An Unperfect Servant

Read Romans 1:1-4 An Un-perfect Servant Romans 1:1 Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle and set apart for the gospel of God. HOW do you introduce yourself? I remember when I was a child how adults would ask me, “Who is your father? Who is your mother? What is her maiden name?” Today I sometimes connect with people who know my children. Or I connect with people through what I have done. Or they get to know me for what I am doing. But I’ve never said, “I am a servant of Jesus Christ.” when I introduce myself. Should we say that? It is a bit scary to verbalize your commitment to Christ, isn’t it? After all, if we say it only to ourselves, there is no one to hold us accountable. If we have an “un-servant” attitude, we can get away with it—in the public’s eye. But what happens if we let people know that we live for the purpose of serving Jesus Christ? What if we confess that orally to God? Does the thought of committing to God publicly and privately in these ways scare you because you know you’re not perfect? I hope not. Paul made that statement knowing he wasn’t perfect. Paul had struggles with his relationship with God. He had issues with others in the church. He wasn’t always perfect. Some in the church even disliked him. Yet, he identifies himself as a servant of Jesus, focusing his eyes on his Master and not on the world. Obedience to Jesus, not perfection to the world is on Paul’s mind. God does want you to commit to him in your heart and publicly. He knows you will need help to fulfill that commitment. He wants you to trust him to help you and to guide you. That’s what Paul did, and his life is a living testimony to power of God. It’s True! When you focus on Jesus, people will see Jesus in you.