From The Pulpit: The life of a slave
We all know the terrible history of slavery in this country and how devastating it was for those people who were enslaved. They were bought and paid for by their master and they were expected to follow the master’s orders. Stories of slaves being whipped until their backs were shredded are horrifying. But it happened. Families were often separated. Husbands and wives were sold to different masters. Children were sent to other homes. That entire part of our history is a black mark on our country.
As we have looked at Romans 1:1 we have seen Paul identifying himself as a bondservant. The interesting thing is that the Romans would have heard something different when they saw the Greek word DOULOS. Here we have to keep in mind that Paul is writing to Roman believers in Jesus. They were Gentiles. They had a distinctively Roman perspective on this word. To them it meant “slave.” They would not have understood a servant who was working for pay. They would not have understood someone who was voluntarily serving someone without pay. They would have understood Paul as saying that He was owned by Jesus Christ, and that Jesus, as the Master, had every right to do whatever He wanted to do with His property. Paul had no claims on his own life. He belonged, totally and completely, to Jesus Christ. He was bound to do whatever Christ called him to do because he didn’t have any rights to his own life. Everything he had, everything he needed, every hope he might have, every desire he might want to fulfill were all in the hands of His Master, Jesus.
The Romans heard the word DOULOS and they heard, “I am a slave of Jesus Christ.” A slave sees the Christian life in a completely different way than the others. A slave knows that they belong to Jesus. When He died on the cross He paid the redemption price for us. Revelation 5:9 makes one of the more interesting testimonies to Jesus’ redeeming work. The setting is that a scroll has been brought forth in heaven and a strong angel cries out, “Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?” No one is found but Jesus. As Jesus takes the scroll the inhabitants of the throne room in heaven bow down and sing a song of praise, “Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation.” He s worthy to be our Master.
The literal meaning of redemption is “to be bought out of the marketplace.” Slaves were bought and sold in the marketplace. They were said to be redeemed by their new owners. Jesus bought us out of the marketplace of sin. He redeemed us. He is our new owner. We are His slaves.
That identity as slaves adds a unique perspective to our Christian lives. Slaves don’t get to choose what they are supposed to do. Slaves don’t get to choose to follow their own desires. Slaves don’t get to follow someone or something else just because it attracts their attention. Slaves don’t get to say “No.” They belong, wholly and completely, to their master.
Now think about this … as slaves to Jesus Christ we have been called to fulfill certain positions and to do certain things for Him. Romans 8:28 describes us as people who are called according to His purpose. We don’t choose what we are going to do. God calls us to serve according to His purpose and His will. He gifts us for different activities and different areas of service. That is where He wants us to serve. We don’t choose how we serve. We are His slaves. God chooses. We don’t gain positions by arrogance, or ambition, or by campaigning for a position. God calls us to serve. He chooses. As slaves of Jesus Christ we simply obey.
That picture adds an important depth to our identity in Christ. Because of Jesus we belong to God. He paid the price to allow us to be His children. We belong to Him. He is our Master. Because of that truth we can live our lives to His glory.
