Paul begins his letter to the Romans, “Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus . . .” When we consider how we are to live, Paul’s self-description is important to keep in mind. He lives as a servant of Jesus. That relationship defines who he is and what he does. He is one totally devoted to the will of the one to whom Jesus was totally devoted. What he does, following Jesus’ example, is live out that will in his day-to-day dealings with people. Jesus did this perfectly. Paul did not. But Paul knew that this was what was required of him as a servant of Christ Jesus.
Israel had been set apart to serve God. They were to be a “light to the nations.” (Isa. 42:6) Their knowing and doing the will of God was intended to be a life-giving provocation to those around them. Consider Moses’ instruction as Israel was about to enter the Promised Land: “I have taught you statutes and rules, as the LORD my God commanded me, that you should do them in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples, who, when they hear all these statutes, will say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’” (Deut. 4:5, 6) Alas, Micah (and the rest of the prophets) had to constantly remind Israel who they were and how they were to live: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness,and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8) Except for brief flashes of obedience, they failed miserably.
In God’s kindness, Jesus did what Israel could not do: consistenly and perfectly walk in the will of God. In this sense, he was the true Israel, the true light to the nations, the true inheritor of the promises. As we have been joined to him by faith, the blessings come our way, but so do the obligations. Each of us is a servant of Christ Jesus, the risen one, who leads by his Spirit. This is why the language of Paul is important. We are now in service to the one who has purchased redemption and brought eternal life. Our words and actions must reflect that reality.
