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The Doctrine Explained
Precisians Are the Sort Who Are Upright in the Way
Two Things Added
They Acknowledge They Are Unprofitable Servants}
When Precisians have done all they can, after this care and circumspection, they will acknowledge themselves to be unprofitable servants70, 71 (Luke 17:10). They are thankful and bless God for helping them on in this way, but yet they are humble. They are so far from boasting that they have done so much, that they are ashamed that they have done no more. While they admire the grace of God toward them, they abase and abhor themselves in dust and ashes. “I labored more abundantly than them all, yet not I” (no thanks to me), “but the grace of God that was with me” (1 Corinthians 15:10). Some significant difference there has been (blessed be God) between my conduct of life and the ways of many others. But who has made me to differ from another? Or what do I have that was not given to me? And if I have received it, why should I boast as if it were not given to me? (1 Corinthians 4:7). Some things, through the grace of God, have been done; some service has been performed; but what is all this compared to what I might have done? What is all I have done compared to what I have left undone? How small is my service if it is compared with my sins? How few are my duties if compared with my neglects? What is all I have done for God next to what I owe to the Lord and next to that which He has done for me? God has redeemed my life from death and crowned me with lovingkindness. But, oh! What is all I have done next to what God has promised to do for me? What is my work next to my reward? What is my race to my crown? Christians exercise themselves in such humbling and self-abasing thoughts as these to lay themselves low, even in the dust, before the Lord. The profane world brands them for a proud group of people who say to their brethren, “Stand aside, I am holier than you” (Isaiah 65:5). What do such critics commonly say, if not, “Precise, but proud as the devil”? It is true, and Christians will freely acknowledge it and take the shame of it upon themselves that this pestilential evil, pride, is a weed apt to spring up in the richest gardens. We can hardly be lifted up to a holy course without being apt to be puffed up with a vain imagination. We can hardly do well without being apt to think too well of what we do. Many a precious Christian has groaned and travailed in pain under the bondage of a self-exalting heart. But yet, he is bewailing it and bemoaning himself for it. Indeed, his very disease is a help to a cure; his pride is a means to humble him. His being lifted up above measure is the very thorn in the flesh that brings him low (2 Corinthians 2:7). He abhors himself the more and abases himself the lower because he has exalted himself so high. And, the constant desire and labor of his soul is to bring and hold himself in such lowliness of heart and life that, whatever he is or has done, the excellency of the power may be seen to be from God and not in him.
70The Greek ἀχρεῖος means unprofitable, unworthy, useless, or not deserving of praise. The Greek δοῦλος [doulos] means slave or bondslave. Hence, there are various translations: “unprofitable servant,” KJV, NKJV; “unworthy servant,” ESV; “unworthy slave,” NASB; “good-for-nothing slave,” HCSB.
71For the modern reader, the term “servant” may be misleading. First, modern employees have far greater freedom than servants of Alleine’s time. Second, there is an almost universal hesitancy of Bible translators to use the word “slave” when referring to a believer. In some respects, this may be understandable for two reasons. First, American Southern slavery was a vile and terrible institution that was far different from the form of slavery that was permitted in the Bible; this gives “slave” many wrong connotations except when discussing enslavement to sin and Satan. Second, there are many other words that rightly describe the relationship between a believer and his Lord and Savior and God. Examples include “son,” “daughter,” “friend,” “minister,” “(younger) brother,” and others. Hence, “slave” cannot be an all-inclusive descriptor of this relationship. Yet, at the same time, the Greek New Testament often uses δοῦλος [doulos] (slave) to describe believers in their relationship to Christ and God. Many Bible versions will translate δοῦλος as “servant” or “bondservant.” The editor wishes to point out that this is not correct. The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament shows in detail that δοῦλος meant “slave,” one who is completely dependent upon his master and who is obligated to complete submission of his will and life to his master’s will. The authoritative A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature notes that δοῦλος has been translated as “servant” largely only in Bible translations and in early American literature. The δοῦλος has no personal choice of his or her own. Examples of occurrences of δοῦλος in the New Testament include Matthew 10:25; Matthew 24:45; Luke 2:29; Luke 12:37; Luke 17:10; Acts 2:18; Acts 4:29; Romans 1:1; Philippians 1:1; 2 Timothy 2:24; Titus 1:1; James 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1; Jude 1; Revelation 1:1; Revelation 15:3; Revelation 19:2, 5; and revelation 22:3-4, 6-9. The importance of this distinction between “servant” or “bondservant” and “slave” or “bondslave” must not be overlooked. An employee or servant may leave the master’s service or negotiate the terms of the relationship. The master may also dismiss the employee or servant. A δοῦλος (slave) has absolutely no choice except to submit his or her will to the will of his master. A slave cannot leave the master’s service and may be punished for disobedience. The master’s will is absolute in a slave’s life. A δοῦλος (slave) of Christ must submit his or her will absolutely to Christ. The only dismissal from His service is into Hell. The need for a δοῦλος (slave, bondslave) of Christ to unconditionally and absolutely surrender his or her will and person to Christ is a much neglected and slighted doctrine in this present age. To willfully neglect this aspect of our relationship to our Heavenly Father, Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and Advocate and Guide Holy Spirit, One God, Blessed Forever is to dally with eternal damnation.
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