Bond Servant of Christ, Part 1
Bond Servant of Christ, Part 1
Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle and singled out for God’s good news. (Rom. 1:1)
Bond Servant of Old
Paul was an apostle of Christ, and this established his authority with the church. But he was also a slave of Christ, which established his heart for God and for the church. Yet instead of thinking of slavery as we’re accustomed to—wholly oppressive—we ought to think of it as the greatest opportunity any of us could have.
As a first-century bond servant of Christ, you would understand that your life is not your own. At every point your will would be lined up with your Master’s will. Your sole purpose would be to do His will, not your own. And yet His will would not be burdensome (see Matt. 11:29).
Bond Servant of Today
The spirit of America is an independent, rugged, self-reliant, roll-up-your-sleeves, “you can do it” kind of attitude. We place great value on this kind of person in our country, and we take great pride in being that kind of country.
But the kingdom of God does not function by that spirit. Instead, the kingdom is built on the willing service of “slaves”—those who have traded their captivity to sin for a liberating dependence on Christ. Like a wild horse that needs to be broken to be of any use, God wants to break us of our foolish, imaginary independence. And so the bond servant of Christ has happily signed away his rights to himself and become a liberated slave of the one true Master.
Bottom Line
Are you holding on to some of your own rights as you try to serve Christ?