The first symbol of service that we consider here is that of a debtor:

'Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I

purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have

some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles.  I am debtor

both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the

unwise.  So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to

you that are at Rome also' (Rom. 1:13 -15).

Paul's conception of his responsibility is expressed by the symbol of a

debtor.  It was something he 'owed', something that was not a matter of

feeling or fancy, but a definite debt to saved and unsaved.  In the light of

Romans 13:8 we can see moreover that this debt was a debt of love: 'Owe no

man anything, but to love one another'.  Paul felt this sense of obligation

when he twice asked prayer for himself:

'That I therein may speak boldly, as I ought to speak' (Eph. 6:20).

'That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak' (Col. 4:4).

All true service is the discharging of a tremendous debt.  A debt to preach

the gospel of Christ as the power of God unto salvation to everyone that

believeth, whether wise or foolish, Jew or Gentile, Roman or Barbarian; and a

debt to teach the truth in such terms that neither through fear ('speak

boldly'), nor through lack of clearness and plainness of speech ('make it

manifest'), shall any miss the truth.  Something of the same feeling of

responsibility is expressed by the apostle when he wrote:

'For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for

necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the

gospel!' (1 Cor. 9:16).

For Paul to call himself a debtor in connection with the discharge of his

ministry indicates a lowliness of heart that we should emulate.

The second symbol of service before us (a disciple) also demands

lowliness of heart and meekness of spirit.  In Matthew 16 we find one or two

primary conditions that must be fulfilled if one would be a disciple:

'Then said Jesus unto His disciples, if any man will come after Me, let

him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me' (Matt. 16:24).

'Come after Me ... follow Me'.  These two essential conditions are

accompanied by others that arise out of the nature of things.  To follow

Christ through a world of sin and darkness must of necessity arouse hostility

and opposition; consequently the Lord adds: 'deny himself and take up his

cross'.  Matthew 10 has already made it plain that this association with

Christ will be attended by painful consequences:

'The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord.

It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master, and the servant as

his lord.  If they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much

more shall they call them of his household' (Matt. 10:24,25).