Serving the Lord as a Slave

Serving the Lord as a slave with all humility and tears and trials which came upon me by the plots of the Jews; Acts 20:19

Serving the Lord as a Slave: The word "slave" is mostly connoted with "serving the Lord." in the New Testament. In Romans 1:1, Paul wrote about himself as a slave of Christ Jesus. In fact, he was such a one, so am I. The Recovery Version Bible renders me much help in my study of the Word.

1² A slave, according to ancient custom and law, was one who was purchased by his master and over whom his master had absolute rights, even to the extent of terminating his life. Paul was such a slave of Christ. Verbs formed from this word are used several times throughout this book. One is translated serve as a slave in 6:6 and serve in 7:6, 25; 9:12; 12:11; 14:18; and 16:18. Another is translated enslaved in 6:18, 22. The noun slavery, from the same root as slave, is used in 8:15, 21.

Paul's use of this term indicates that he was not a self-appointed apostle or one hired by the Lord; rather, he was one purchased to serve God and minister to His people, not in the natural life but in the regenerated life (see Exo. 12:44; 21:6; note 26¹ in Matt. 20; note 14³ inMatt. 25; and note 17¹ in Gal. 6).

http://online.recoveryversion.org/FootNotes.asp?FNtsID=3653

This reminds me again and again of the Lord's calling and as such a called one, as far as my service and status is concerned, I am indeed, just a slave. Though I am a child of God by regeneration, and tiled "brother" but in service I am a purchase "slave" of the Lord Jesus Christ. A slave purchased to serve God and minister to His people. As such, what right do I have? Except to be righteously treated as a slave! 

Though the saints love me as a brother and treated me well as fitting as Christian brothers, often, I am afraid, may the Lord cover me, I am being treated above what I really deserve as a slave. Though I have no right to demand nor reject what and how the saints in love have treated me, I bow my knee in humility before the Lord that He may cover me and preserve me from any natural element and loopholes for the enemy's attack, when the saints in love have given me the best of hospitality which I never deserved.  I commit all to the Lord's wise arrangement.

As a slave, I must faithfully serve my Master, the Lord Jesus Christ, and what He deemed best for me concerning any matter, praise and glory be to His wise bestowment. With the realisation of this fact, the Lord is so good to me and so are the saints. I have no complains nor any suggestions for any betterment of the way I am being treated; no ground for jeaslousy nor pride nor envy. The Lord is sovereignly good to His slave.

Lord, may I ever echo what Paul had written long before, "Serving the Lord as a slave with all humility and tears and trials ...." Acts 20:19