Christian Principles and the Servant Heart

Christian principles are those gifts given to us by the Spirit upon the acceptance of Christ as our personal savior. The day of Pentecost was the birth of our faith and the Christian Church by means of the Holy Spirit coming down and occupying the very souls of those in attendance. Jesus referred to the Holy Spirit as the Comforter and promised the father would send it for all believers. “But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” John 4:26.

That “Comforter” better known as the Holy Spirit has the ability to profoundly change a person from the core. Isaiah 43:18-19 tells us “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” It is this “New Thing” that each person will demonstrate in their character because not only will they be seeking to serve with a Christian heart, they will also be building their own testimony as they grow in Christ through works. Each person will act with the attitude of Servant Leadership. The term ‘servant leadership’ in its modern context was developed by Robert Greenleaf, but the idea can be traced to antiquity and is associated with a range of religious beliefs. Religious practice has often centered on others but as societies have developed the concept of service has become associated more with corporate values and consumerism.

 The Spirit guides the Christian heart and this is a stark contrast to what we perceive as service in the secular humanist world. As Christians, we must approach all our work with the humility of Christ. This is best demonstrated in John 13:1-11. In this chapter, we see Jesus has just finished the last supper with his disciples in the upper room. It is at this point that he begins the washing of the disciple’s feet. A great act of humility and service. This is the example Jesus left for his followers. We must humble ourselves and become a servant to those whom we choose to assist. Pride must die. John 3:30 states “He must become greater, I must become less.” This was John the Baptist speaking and he knew his calling and in doing so fulfilled his purpose and Gods will on this earth. This is our goal as Christians To be consumed by the Holy Spirit in such a way that it changes whom we are and how we see the world around us. In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul confirms the Isaiah verse by saying “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation. The old has gone, the new has come.” We live by the Spirit and the Spirit convicts as well as affirm that what we do is pleasing to God. Living in the Spirit assures the principles are applied.  This Spirit guided approach will demonstrate itself with such Christian principles as stewardship, accountability, clarity of values, and an overall integrity and honesty in all facets of the Christians life.

The Christian worldview has to be charitable and cognizant of the needs of the community around it, but it also must be aware of the world and its evil. Jesus instructed the disciples to be discerning while ministering in the world. “I am sending you out as sheep among wolves, so be as cunning as snakes and as innocent as doves.” This is a warning to the Christian who must go out into a world that most of the time will reject the Christian message. In addition to rejection, those who live “in the world may also attempt to manipulate and take advantage of the sympathetic Christian and his or her desire to help a neighbor. Some situations require careful application of discernment. Discernment, as defined by Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary is “the quality of being able to grasp and comprehend what is obscure.” This ability is also recognized as the skills necessary to judge things as true or false. 1 Corinthians 2:15 tells us “but he that is Spiritual Judges all things.” This is not the hypocritical, nonproductive, faultfinding type of judgment we are told to avoid but instead a judgment that is able to discern between right and wrong, falsehood and truth, manipulation and sincerity. It is this Biblical principle that will serve those working to give within the cities.

In summary, it should be noted that the Christian way is a life long journey of spiritual growth that brings us closer to the father with every heartfelt attempt to learn Gods will. In this life long growth, we will find ourselves at times functioning more in the flesh than in the Spirit in some aspects of our lives. We must continually pray these areas for enlightenment and growth so we minister better to the world around us. It is with this humble recognition that we hope to encourage others to seek this journey with us as we serve.