WHO IS YOUR MASTER?

John 13: 14-16 - Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.

Jesus is our Father, Lord, Teacher and Master and we are his child, disciple, student and servant.

All these relationships between us and Jesus are true. We need all of them and cannot be selective about it and leave out the ones we don't like. Every Christian is called to be a servant of God.

Jesus, my Master

When we call him "Lord", then we say "you own me"; when we call him "Master", we are his servant. 

A businessman owns the business; he has a vision or mission for it. He is a person who commands those who he employs and rewards their work in the form of a salary. Similarly, God owns everything - every heavenly body and every human being. He has a vision and plan for each one of us. A servant's job is simply to obey the commands of his master and receive a reward.

God and Mammon

Matthew 6:24 - No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and mammon.

There are only two masters - God and Mammon. The Spirit of the world - money, possessions, fame or whatever is valued more than God is Mammon. 

Why do we serve Mammon? It appears more real to our senses than the Spirit and so we are attracted towards it. We serve it because of our desires, our selfish ambition, the root of all these reasons being pride. We give our eyes, our tongue, our ears to serve mammon.

Rewards of a servant

A slave is someone who is trading his time, energy and talent for returns or rewards. The devil/world promises much reward but will enslave you unto death, because the salary of sin is death. There are multiple doors that we come across daily to enter into this slavery, but only one that leads to the good master Jesus.

Jesus does not enslave us, but invites us to follow him. If we use our talents, time and energy for his kingdom he will reward us too. The rewards may or may not be on this earth, but surely we will get the gift of eternal life. The greatest reward however, even on this earth, is simply his presence. 

Genesis 15: 1: “... I am your shield, your very great reward.”

First, spend time with God to be served by him. Then, build his kingdom as his servant. The vision and plan God has for you - build it together with him! If you are shut in the shelter of the most high you are safe. It is a place of perfect peace - when he is your master. Be careful who is the master of your life. 

Other important things:

All things are permissible, but not all is profitable. 

1 Cor 10:23-24: All things are lawful [that is, morally legitimate, permissible], but not all things are beneficial or advantageous. All things are lawful, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life].

When you obey him, his presence is real. 

Whoever honors God, God will honor him.

Who are the ones who follow the call of Jesus? Those who love Jesus. And Jesus is your master in love. 

Jesus can claim you as his because he created you and bought you with his blood.

Devil is scared of the house in which the holy spirit dwells.