True Servant? Or Politician?

2Samuel 15:1-6 "And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared himself chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him. And Absalom rose up early, and stood beside the way of the gate: and it was so, that when any man that had a controversy came to the king for judgment, then Absalom called unto him, and said, Of what city are you? And he said, your servant is of one of the tribes of Israel. And Absalom said unto him, See, your matters are good and right; but there is no man appointed of the king to hear you. Absalom said moreover, Oh that I were made judge in the land, that every man who has any suit or cause might come unto me, and I would do him justice! And it was so, that when any man came near to him to bow down to him, he put forth his hand, and took him, and kissed him. And in this manner did Absalom to all Israel that came to the king for judgment: so Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel"


Can you tell the difference between a true servant from a politician? Because there are differences. Sometimes difficult to discern, but Jesus Christ gives a key to discern in Mathew 7:15-18, “by their fruits”. It is also interesting that for the fruits to appear takes time, so we also need patience. But the time will come if we have ears to hear and eyes to see when the fruits will tell you if someone is a true servant or just a politician disguised as servant.

A major difference is in what a person bases his or her decisions and actions. A true servant will always act or decide based on principles. That is one reason they are trustworthy. Their actions and decisions will always be the same under the same circumstances. For example a true servant will not use a set of rules for his family or friends and another for the rest of people. It is a sin.

Leviticus 19:15 "You shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: you shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shall you judge your neighbor."

James 2:9 "But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors."

God judge us all by the same law, principles and values. 1Pe 1:17 "And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear:" Romans 2:11 is also a Scripture to consider.

A true servant leader will not be afraid to take difficult or unpopular decisions. If someone is basing his or her decisions on principles, when those principles and values are disregarded he or she will have to speak up and correct. Titus 2:15 "These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee."

Jesus Christ the perfect servant spoke up and corrected when He saw injustice, when He saw God’s law disregarded. He confronted the Pharisees. He strongly rebuked the merchants in the temple. (Mathew 23:13-19; John 2:14-16).

A politician doesn’t like to do something unpopular because it means losing votes and support. He is in a campaign to win a following and he will make every effort to avoid confrontation. Sometimes he will have to play dumb, deaf and blind.

A politician alters his speech according to the audience. That is the reason many times he has to say half truths or hide things, and later on has many troubles trying to explain himself. Mark Twain said "If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything." A true servant will make every effort to always speak truthfully. We can see a marked contrast between Jesus Christ and the Pharisees in the following verses. Mathew 22:16 and Mathew 23:28.

Finally a true servant will always seek the welfare of the ones he is serving. A true servant will love deeply the ones he is serving. He will be ready to make sacrifices for them. It means:

* He will not feel he is above the ones he is serving.

Deuteronomy 17:18-20 "And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this law and these statutes, to do them: That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel."

* He will correct with love, patience, mercy and compassion the ones he is serving.

Colossians 3:12-13 and Galatians 6:1

Who are we imitating? Jesus Christ, the perfect servant? Or Absalom, the politician disguised as servant?

Just thinking out loud...