WHO LOVE HE SERVES

        Certain time, Jesus said to His disciples: - " No longer I call you servants; because the servant doesn't know what his master does. Instead of that, I have been calling you friends, because everything I've heard from my Father I turned you well-known ". (João 15.15) Paul, when beginning its encouragement letter to the church of Filipos, doesn't identify himself by apostle's title or by any reference of pastor founder of the church.

        Instead of that, Paul identifies to himself and Timothy as " servants in Christ Jesus ". The word " servant " gives the idea of a servile today, employee, but, in fact, the meaning is " slave ", somebody that is master's property and that will never be a heir of the family. But if Jesus calls His pupils of " friends ", why Paul does call them "slaves"? there is not any contradiction here, because Jesus Himself was made slave and did has washed the pupils' feet.

        He showed that who loves, he serves. Paul also calls the Christians " saints " and he says that the people become saint and servants by the grace of God in Christ Jesus. We will never be capable to leave our pride and selfishness for we turn ourselves servants of Christ, until our hearts find peace with God.

        " Grace and peace " form the road for the sanctity and for the service. " Grace " comes before, and then " peace ". To have peace with God, we need first try His grace. 

Think: More than a feeling, love is service. Who loves he serves.

(extracted from the site of IPB - http://www.ipb.org.br)

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