In most of the free world, the term slavery is negative, outlawed and evil. However, its elimination, at least in North America, has removed a metaphor used in the NT for a good thing, even a godly designation.
But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:22–23)
The Bible says we are all slaves to something, and particularly mastered by our desire to be in control and do our own thing. This has become the idea of freedom, but when God and faith are left out of the equation, that lifestyle is termed sinful. The OT describes it this way:
All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him (Christ) the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)
Our own way, because it is self-centered and rejects the Lordship of our Creator, is called sin. Even what people might call the ‘good life’ is sin. Even our righteousness is called “filthy” or “polluted” in Isaiah 64:6. The inner person is dead to God and does not seek Him. However . . .
But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness. (Romans 6:17–18)
Christian organizations work to set people free from the slave trade which has thousands in bondage serving harsh and immoral taskmasters. The idea of being a slave is repulsive, yet Paul uses this concept to describe that being a slave or bond-servant of Jesus Christ is the only alternative — a relationship that gives great freedom and joy, freedom from sin and recipients of the Lord’s joy, a joy that overrides all negatives and makes life totally delightful.
The Greek word translated “bond-servant” in several NT passages was commonly used of those who, out of devotion to their masters, chose to remain as slaves when they had an opportunity to be released. They were also known as love slaves because they served out of love, not compulsion.
That is the difference. No one suffers agony and a desire for freedom when Jesus is our Lord and Master. Being His “bond-servants” frees us from the tyranny of always wanting to have our own way. It also is the freedom of knowing we are doing good when we follow His direction, and in doing that, there is great joy.
In NT times, slaves in the Roman Empire were usually treated with respect. Most had very little, yet their masters supplied all their needs. A disobedient or self-willed slave was of no use, but faithful slaves set aside their personal interests to do their master’s will and were highly valued. This makes slavery an example of what it means to serve Jesus. Jesus even said, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.” (John 4:34)
Nowadays, harsh treatment and forced service have ruined the metaphor, even turned minds against faith in Christ because they assume He will demand actions we do not want to do and ask of us to live the worst life imaginable.
In the past few weeks, God has asked for several small actions. I had no idea why they were important to Him, but did them anyway. The results were surprising — and so was the joy that filled my heart. As today’s devotional describes, being set free from sin is a great gift that brings joy, and serving God as His slave increases that joy like nothing else. Another benefit of this slavery is the adventure not knowing what comes next alongside the total assurance that it will bring joy.
Jesus, what a privilege to serve You. I have often feared being set on a shelf because I’m not worthy, yet it isn’t about that at all; it is about the wonder of having the King of kings and Lord of lords directing my life and filling me with great joy as I do what You say. Increase my determination to listen and obey, and to glorify You in the doing.
MORE: Read Philemon. What does this short letter say about a runaway slave and what does it suggest about ‘slavery’ to Christ in the lives of Paul, Onesimus and Philemon?
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