INTERPOLATING JESUS’ PARABLE of the “ARROGANT SLAVE”
We have other parables that when properly interpolated reveal how Jesus Christ expects True Believers to consider themselves while we worship and serve Him. The first is what I call the “Parable of the Arrogant Slave” (1) which will illustrate to us the correct way of viewing, discerning, and executing the spiritual supernatural message of salvation contained in all of His parables about the kingdom of God/heaven that is present on earth at this time. This parable illustrates the physical and spiritual humbleness that comes with the process of sanctification.
(1) Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness. I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in further lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification. (Romans 6:16-19) NASU
The Arrogant Slave:
Jesus said, “Which of you, having a slave plowing or tending sheep, will say to him when he has come in from the field, ‘Come immediately and sit down to eat’? But will he not say to him, ‘Prepare something for me to eat, and properly clothe yourself and serve me while I eat and drink; and afterward you may eat and drink’? “He does not thank the slave because he did the things which were commanded, does he? So you too, when you do all the things which are commanded you, say, ‘We are unworthy slaves; we have done only that which we ought to have done.'” (Luke 17:7-10) NASU
This parable is maybe my favorite! It is quite easy to interpolate. The above Scripture – Romans 6:16-19 shares with us that we are all slaves. What you have to determine is to Whom are you a slave – to sin and the god of this world Satan which leads to death – eternal separation from God or to obedience to God and eternal life with Him? There is a Scriptural text that will interpolate the spiritual supernatural Christian Worldview of the True Believer versus the Make Believer contained in this parable, and this is what I have struggled to learn and try to achieve over the years.
“The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. (2) That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less. {Have you seen the t-shirts, bumper stickers, logos that read “HE>i?”} ‘The one who comes from above is above all; the one who is from the earth belongs to the earth, and speaks as one from the earth. The one who comes from heaven is above all.’” (John 3:29-31) NIV
(2) No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. (John 15:15) NKJV
This is the humbleness of heart and the spiritual supernatural Biblical Christian Worldview that God desires of all His adopted Children/Saints – those who are True Believers in their faith in Jesus Christ.
The following Scriptural text shares with us the humbleness of heart and the resulting obedience, trust, and commitment that God desires for each True Believer to have towards Him and His providing daily for us. The spiritual heart and worldview of the True Believer is diametrically opposed to the spiritual heart and worldview of a Make Believer/Unbeliever. The two will never meet! (3)
(3) And [Jesus] said to His disciples {to His Saints – us}, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious and troubled [with cares] about your life, as to what you will [have to] eat; or about your body, as to what you will [have to] wear. For life is more than food, and the body [more] than clothes.
“Observe and consider the ravens; for they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn; and [yet] God feeds them. Of how much more worth are you than the birds! And which of you by being overly anxious and troubled with cares can add a cubit to his stature or a moment [unit] of time to his age [the length of his life]? If then you are not able to do such a little thing as that, why are you anxious and troubled with cares about the rest?
“Consider the lilies, how they grow. They neither [wearily] toil nor spin nor weave; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory (his splendor and magnificence) was not arrayed like one of these. [1 Kings 10:4-7.] But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today, and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will He clothe you, O you [people] of little faith?
“And you, do not seek [by meditating and reasoning to inquire into] what you are to eat and what you are to drink; nor be of anxious (troubled) mind [unsettled, excited, worried, and in suspense];
For all the pagan world is [greedily] seeking these things, and your Father knows that you need them.
“Only aim at and strive for and seek His kingdom, and all these things shall be supplied to you also.
“Do not be seized with alarm and struck with fear, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom!
“Sell what you possess and give donations to the poor; provide yourselves with purses and handbags that do not grow old, an unfailing and inexhaustible treasure in the heavens, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Luke 12:22-34) AMP
What we must understand is that whatever worldview you have – whether profane secular humanistic worldview or a spiritual supernatural worldview – you are either a servant/slave to the god of this world – Satan and his kingdom bringing eternal condemnation, or you are a servant/slave to God and His righteousness resulting in sanctification and eventual glorification. You are either one or the other! You cannot walk in BOTH kingdoms trying to worship and serve God! Let God’s Word speak to you in how to live your life in a manner that pleases God. (4)
(4) And to the angel (messenger) of the assembly (church) in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the trusty and faithful and true Witness, the Origin and Beginning and Author of God’s creation {Jesus Christ}: [Isa 55:4; Prov 8:22.]
I know your [record of] works and what you are doing; you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm and neither cold nor hot, I will spew you out of My mouth! For you say, I am rich; I have prospered and grown wealthy, and I am in need of nothing; and you do not realize and understand that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked. [Hos 12:8.]
Therefore I counsel you to purchase from Me gold refined and tested by fire, that you may be [truly] wealthy, and white clothes to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nudity from being seen, and salve to put on your eyes, that you may see. Those whom I [dearly and tenderly] love, I tell their faults and convict and convince and reprove and chasten [I discipline and instruct them]. So be enthusiastic and in earnest and burning with zeal and repent [changing your mind and attitude]. [Prov 3:12.] Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears and listens to and heeds My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will eat with him, and he [will eat] with Me. He who overcomes (is victorious), I will grant him to sit beside Me on My throne, as I Myself overcame (was victorious) and sat down beside My Father on His throne. He who is able to hear, let him listen to and heed what the [Holy] Spirit says to the assemblies (churches). (Revelation 3:14-22) AMP
