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Is God Your Master Or Your Slave?
Is God your Master or your slave? Do you recognize that God is the Creator and you are the created? Or do you demand, decree and declare that God will do such and such a work in your life? Do you proclaim that you will be highly favored in His sight because you say so?
Who do you think God is? Or rather, who do you think you are? The Lord says ask and receive and seek and you will find but is God your slave that you can order about? Is His will important to you or is your will more important than His? Do you want to march to the beat of your own drum instead of the beat of His?
The prophets of old, those who fear God and who were credited with righteousness such as Abraham and Phinehas ( See Genesis 15:6 and Psalm 106:31 respectively) approached the Lord Almighty humble and contrite hearts. When they were not certain of God's will, they approached Him tentatively and respectfully.
- Examine Moses - When the people sinned a great sin before the Lord Almighty, Moses humbly went before God and begged Him to be merciful to the people offering himself up to be blotted out from the Lord's book instead. (See Exodus 32: 30- 35)
- Consider Abraham - When the Lord told him of His plan to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah, Abraham knew that His decision was just, yet as his nephew was there, he asked the Lord in a humble and even piteous manner, if for but a few righteous the city would be spared. The Lord answered Abraham patiently because Abraham was so respectful and allowed him to know His plans because Abraham knew who was the Master and who was the servant. (See Genesis 18: 16-33)
- Ponder Gideon - The man who needed to definitely know that a thing was from God. He too, approached the Lord with reverential fear and understanding. He did not order the Lord but he asked humbly. (See Judges 6)
- Think on David - A man who knew God and who knew that God had anointed him to be king over Israel did not dare to touch the king before him because the Lord's anointing had once fallen on Saul. Even though Saul no longer had favor with God, David so respected and feared the Lord that he refused to touch a hair on Saul's head. ( See 1 and 2 Samuel)
And lest you should think that all of these come from the Old Testament :
- Remember Paul - Who though he suffered with a thorn in his side, asked the Lord to remove it twice. He never asked God to remove it again after the Lord told Him that His grace was sufficient for Paul. He accepted what was there and lived with it, happy to live in the will of the Lord, to fear Him and to work according to His purpose. He did not declare it gone. He did not decree that it was healed. He lived with it because God was his Master not the other way around. (See 2 Corinthians 12)
When asking God to act, the fact that He might answer with 'No' does not daunt the man of God but rather he accepts it knowing that God's will is final and He heeds and acts as He will.
How many times do you order God around as though He is your servant? How often do you remember to thank Him for the mercies of the day? Do you rush through your prayers, demand the latest need or want and then go off to be with the world or do you stop to listen to His words and to hear His will for the day? Do you wait patiently upon Him when you are in the wilderness and incline your ear to His will so that you will hear Him even if He speaks to you in a still, small voice? (1 Kings 19) Do you treat Him like a slave or do you honor Him as you would a master? What is He to you? If your answer is everything (as it should be) then serving Him should not be a problem.
God humbled Himself and served those who are His servants so that they could then use as an example His actions and do as He did. The servant is not above the master and if God is your God, then He is your Master. Serve as He would have you to serve and give Him in glory in all that you do. For it is through Him that all good things come.
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- The Character Of God
What is God's character like? The Bible states that God is love but what does that mean? Does love contain only love or are there other emotions within love that make it love? What of anger, hate, and jealousy? Are they a part of God's character? How
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North Wind: God, My God, is neither master or slave. For me God is my "Loving Father" whom I serve as a loving and dutiful child and son. I would never presume to demand anything from my earthly Dad, nor would I ever presume to demand anything from My Father God.
Agreed. I am the raindrop, and God is the ocean. Is the raindrop slave, or master to the ocean?
The holy father is the father of all living things who looks out over us as his children not ruling over us as some task master commanding his slaves. I look up to him with love and respect as one naturally would when looking towards a loving father; weither it is my holy or earthly father. take care pam.
- Author
Hi Dave,
Thanks for coming by and reading. I do understand what you are saying and I embrace the Lord as my Father and my Brother. The veil has been rent and I praise and glorify Him for it. It is His love that is upon me that causes me to be subservient to Him. We all serve something or someone in our lives. As Christ said: Ye cannot serve God and mammon. When the Almighty shows us His love, grace, and His mercies what is left but to worship Him in truth and indeed pledge a lifetime of service to Him?
"And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with Him." Ephesians 6:9
- Author
Thank you for reading and for your comment Druid Dude. The ocean is mighty compared to the raindrop but the Creator of both is even mightier. Thanks again.
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Hello Pamela-Anne,
I appreciate your comments very much. Personally I do not look to God as I would my earthly father. Even the best father on earth cannot compare to the Father in heaven and I must love Him the most just as Abraham loved Him more than his own son Isaac.
Oh that God would command me! It would be easier for me to walk in His will if He told me every waking thing to do. It is something I yearn for deeply. To be His servant, to be His slave is an honor that perhaps, you do not realize.
Even the Son is pleased to serve the Father and He will be servant to Him in the end when all is subdued:
"For He hath put all things under His feet. But when He saith all things are put under Him, it is manifest that He is excepted, which did put all things under Him.
And when all things shall be subdued unto Him, then shall the Son also Himself be subject unto Him that put all things under Him, that God may be all in all." 1 Corinthians 15:27-28
It is not such a terrible thing to be a slave. For to be a slave in the house of God is better than being a king!
The children of Israel were set free from the bondage of Pharaoh that harsh and unjust taskmaster so that they could go and serve the Lord! He became their Master and as long as they dwelt with Him they dwelt in safety. God is not a Master such as men. The only reason you should fear the title of slave is if you believe the judgments the Master makes concerning you will be unjust but He is the Just Judge. There is no wrong in Him and in humbling ourselves before Him does please Him and it is proven over and over in the Holy Scriptures.
What a great question you have posted. It did make me think of how sometimes we just ask God for things and do not understand how our faith and love work within this relationship. Thanks for the reminder and coaching!
I do like that you brought out this important fact. We are the servant and shall always be inferior to Him. I have seen people demand from God and it makes me tremble! I, myself, offer sincere repentance if I have ever been so arrogant to the Creator of everything!
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Thanks for stopping by teaches12345,
I truly appreciate your comments.
- Author
I tremble as well Hyphenbird, we always must remember that He is worthy to be praised and by His stripes we were healed.
Thank you for reading.
Yeah, I've heard the phrase, "Right now, God!!!" repeated in prayer, more times than I care to remember myself.
People need to find the right balance in "coming boldly to the thrown..." and commanding that this "mountain" be moved; and "greater works shall you do in my name". Some people get a bit carried away.
God is everything!
Jesus taught us how to pray.
Good reminder.
Anger, hate, and jealousy have all been used to describe God's feeling (for lack...). He gets angry (for some reason, I can't recall when). He hates sin. And, according to my bible as well, he is described as being jealous of his creation choosing other Gods.
And please the misspelling from autocorr uncaught. THRONE. :)
- Author
Hi genaea,
You are right, Jesus did teach us how to pray and we can ask and receive anything in His name but we must realize that His name is the great name and we are His tools. He is jealous as a matter of fact the Bible says His name is Jealous (Exodus 34:14)
Thank you for reading.
North Wind, I thoroughly enjoyed your piece and agree whole-heartedly with it. I was raised one religion, and explored others during my lifetime, but one thing has been constant and that is my unshakable faith, love and respect for God. I would never even consider making demands on Him. None of live the lives we should, but we should always give thanks for all He has done for us. Rather than ask for OUR will to be done, ask for strength, patience and understanding that HIS will be done, for we are but humble servants and He is the Master. Thank you again for sharing, North Wind.
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Thank you, Eviejo, for reading. Yes, His will be done as the Lord says. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this topic as well. God should be respected because He is God.
As usual, you are right on target, North Wind.
John MacArthur wrote a book titled, "Slave", which confirms everything you wrote in this hub. MacArthur has pastored his outstanding church, Grace to You, for well over 30 years, and he has written scores of books.
I think this is a problem confined predominately to American christians( no mistake on the capital). In other countries the Christians get kerosine pored on them and lit on fire for having a Bible study, or arms and legs cut off, or any number of other atrosities. Americans will not even give up cable TV for Christ. Want, want, want, whine, whine, whine, we are like a cat that will not shut up!
Paul said he is a slave for Christ. God's commandments are to be followed. Why is it American christians just don't get that? Yes God is a Christian's Father Who loves them, and will often grant them their requests, but when will that Love be returned? When will we stop saying we love Him and start showing it, acting on it, resolve to be productive for Christ?
- Author
I have listened to John MacArthur's sermons on sermonaudio.com. but I have never had the privilege of reading one of his books, Caleb DRC. I too, feel nauseated about the lukewarm Christianity that seems to be taking over. The foundations seem to be riddled with the termites of the sins of rebellion and disobedience.
You asked:
"When will we stop saying we love Him and start showing it, acting on it, resolve to be productive for Christ?"
I believe it will happen when we submit. Submission seems so hard to do but His yoke is easy if we would only accept it.
Thank you for your astute comments. Your comments are always filled with biblical insight.
Very well said. Too many Christians today portray God as someone to go to when you need help or a way out. But, God is someone who we are to completely give our lives too and SERVE at all times.
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Thank you obustudent7,
Serving God is not something we should run away from because to walk in His will is to be truly happy.
Very much thought provoking and insightful hub, I believe we are all small small particles of God, God is with in us, This whole universe including all living things are his creation, God bless.
- Author
Hello girishpuri,
Thank you for your comment. God did indeed create the entire universe which is something we could never do. We do not come close to His might, His power and His greatness.
Hi Northwind, this is a great hub and a very interesting subject. I think we can all be guilty of just giving God our shopping list and leaving it there!
- Author
Hello Appsthatpayyou,
I am very sorry that I have only now approved your comment, it was sent to spam and apparently took nine months to show up in that folder! I do not know what caused the delay but I have seen the comment now and I am so very glad that you stopped by to leave your comment. I do think we are all guilty of this and we must remember our place and His place and recognize just who He is and who we are in relation to Him.
Thank you again for your comment!
I consider myself to be meerly a 'wretched creature' of the Supra-Divine, it is not for me to question but to trust and obey. Furthermore i am in a Nietzsche type of Master/slave relationship with my spiritual guide. This allows me to follow a path of morality, check my own faults not to mention self and imposed discipline.
I have come to believe GOD does not require slaves. Whilst some worshipers do pray kneeling, a prayer may offered in any situation. It is however feasible that the Holy Family may have retained a slave in their household to assist in hewing of wood and drawing of water. Modern slavery is an anathema.
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