Just recently John MacArthur came out with a new book called, Slave.
In it he explains how the word translated as servant and bond servant should have been translated as slave. This gives a whole new meaning to the term, “slave to Christ.” This realization gave me a new outlook as to my relationship with Christ. It really is very beautiful. I recommend this book.
Some time ago I wrote an article after watching a DVD by John MacArthur on this very subject. I’m reposting it here now as this subject is relevant.
Have you ever thought of yourself as a slave to Christ? I hadn’t until recently. I thought more of myself as a servant of Christ. Like a helper at times. But a slave, no.
As I began to think about this I realized that we can be slaves to many things. Who or what are you a slave to? Anyone or anything that controls us owns us, and we are slaves to them.
Some could be slaves to alcohol, money, lust, sex, pornography, smoking, sports, illegal drugs, pot, television, work, or fear, worry, and anxiety. Those are just some of the things we can be controlled by. We can also be a slave to people; our husbands, our children, our friends.
On the other hand we should be a slave to Christ. However, the Bible tells us we cannot serve two masters.
Matthew 6:24 NASB “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.”
So there is the problem. Who or what do we serve?
When we become a Christian we do not any longer have to be a slave to fear. God adopts us into His family. He takes care of us from then on.
Romans 8:15 LITV “For you did not receive a spirit of slavery again to fear, but you received a Spirit of adoption by which we cry, Abba! Father!”
It is the same with the other bondage’s that we find ourselves in. When we turn our lives over to the Lord as our Lord and Master, then we no longer have to be a slave to anyone or anything.
Rom 6:6 NASB knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin;
The Greek word “Doulos” in the Bible is often translated as servant. It should be the word slave. It does make a difference.
A servant is one who has a choice. They worked for wages and could quit at any time. A servant can do what he wants and is free to make his own decisions.
But a slave is bought and owned. He is to do the will of his master. He has no rights and cannot do as he pleases.
1Co 7:22-23 LITV For the one called while a slave in the Lord is a freed man of the Lord. And likewise, the one called while a free man is a slave of Christ. 23 You were redeemed with a price; do not become slaves of men.
You see when Jesus died on the cross for the payment of our sins he bought us with his own precious blood. He now owns us and the Word says we are to become a slave of Christ. That is an awesome thought!
In the Bible, Paul saw himself as a slave of Christ.
Rom 1:1 LITV Paul, a slave of Jesus Christ, a called apostle, separated to the gospel of God,
Gal 1:10 LITV For do I now persuade men or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I yet pleased men, I would not be a slave of Christ.
Paul is talking to Timothy here. He refers to Timothy as a slave of the Lord.
2Ti 2:24 LITV But a slave of the Lord ought not to quarrel, but to be gentle towards all, apt to teach, forbearing,
When we see ourselves as a slave of Christ our whole attitude changes.
- We realize we have been bought and are not our own. We can then die to “self.” And, let that part of us go.
- We need to be always available and ready to serve our Master.
- We need to make sure we don’t get caught up with trying to serve two masters.
- We need to pray and keep close to our dear Lord.
- We need to be dependent on Him for all things. He will supply all our needs according to His riches in Glory. (Philippians 4:19.)
- We need to realize that God may allow trials and troubles to come into our lives, but they are to discipline us and grow us to be more like Him. They are for our good.
- And, we need to know that everything good that comes our way is from God Himself.
We’ve truly been blessed when we come to know Jesus Christ as Lord and Master.
- He has made us a child and heir of God and a joint-heir with Jesus Christ. (Romans 8:14-17)
- We are an ambassador for Christ, (II Corinthians 5:20),
- a member of a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a citizen of a holy nation, a possession of God (I Peter 2:9),
- and a holy temple of the living God. (II Corinthians 10:5)
We will actually rule and reign with the Lord in Heaven some day. Isn’t that truly amazing! What a Savior! What a Master!
That is only a few of the blessings God bestows upon us. And to be honest none of us deserve any of it. I’m truly happy to learn that I am a slave to Christ!
Scripture taken from NASB New American Standard Bible and LITV Literal Translation of the Holy Bible
Note: For more teaching on the subject of slaves for Christ you can go here to John MacArthur’s website.
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