By Derek Elles
The use of the executor of a will may be the best analogy to help understand our responsibility as Christians. Perhaps even more so when we understand the definition of an executor; a person or institution appointed by a testator to carry out the terms of their will. One of the best definitions I found also describes the executor as a fiduciary, which is stated as “a person or organization that acts on behalf of another person or persons, putting their clients’ interests ahead of their own.” It goes on to say that “the fiduciary must operate as if they are who they represent, in an effort to make decisions that are in their best interest.”
This is a very powerful statement, and likely so because in the case of Christianity it is purely biblical. The Bible is littered with verses that tell us to “put on” or “imitate” Christ. When we realize that Christ has called us to be executors of His will, we must do our best to fulfill our fiduciary obligation and operate as if we were Christ.
The reference to the Great Commission in Matthew 28 is often left at verse 19, but verse 20 tells us how to do it and gives us the assurance that we have help. Many people believe that this is accomplished by following the 10 commandments. However, Christ gave us new commandments of which He mentions the two greatest in Matthew 22:37, 39 which are recited from Deuteronomy 6:5 and Leviticus 19:18.
In all actuality, there are 1050 commands in the New Testament that can be broken down into about 800 categories that govern every aspect of our lives in relation to our Creator and Savior and our fellow man. This is why we must remain in Scripture daily; to learn to be the executors/fiduciaries that we have been called to be.
