A Willing Slave?
Tonight at church, we had our usual Bible study. We are going through Romans and spent a great deal of time on Romans 1:1 tonight.
Romans 1:1 says, "Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God," (NASB)
In looking at this passage, Paul, who was a Jew (by religion), understood the concept of a bondservant.
Exodus 21:2-6 says that "If you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve for six years; but on the seventh he shall go out as a free man without payment. If he comes alone, he shall go out alone; if he is the husband of a wife, then his wife shall go out with him. If his master gives him a wife, and she bears him sons or daughters, the wife and her children shall belong to her master, and he shall go out alone. But if the slave plainly says, 'I love my master, my wife and my children; I will not go out as a free man,' then his master shall bring him to God, then he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall pierce his ear with an awl; and he shall serve him permanently. "
Unpacking this and looking at the first part of verse 1, Paul realizes that he is set free in Christ, but loves Jesus and desires to stay with him and willingly be His servant.
The rest of the verse looks at the fact that as an apostle, he was called, set apart and sent. All of this was for Gospel of Christ.
Our pastor pointed out that this verse is often overlooked. It's really fascinating to me when I begin to realize the depth of God's Holy Word; and that's just one verse!
Anyway, in looking at this and the meaning of verse one, a question comes to mind, "Who, or what are you a slave to?"
Because Truth matters,
George
1 comment:
I am so excited to do Roman's again. I remember when we did it a Sunday School class. What depth and desire for God we saw move in us.
I use to be a slave to what people thought of me. I always wanted to be exactly what people needed me to be.
Some of it was divinely dictated by God as a spiritual gift. Having the hospitality and encouragement gifts, those came naturally.
A couple of years ago the lives of the people we love and care about, including myself, were turned around every which way possible.
That not only challenged me, it also changed me. I haven't lost the desire to be an encourager or hospitable. I just have gained my own identity as a Christian, my job is to help spread the Good News
Life changes people. I no longer am a do girl for those in need all the time. I have figured out that if some one is going to love and accept you that is great and if they don't that's just as ok. I am just blessed to know that even if no one else cares to be my friend, it's OK because I am not here to be a slave to people, I am here to serve God. Today I am a child of God who tries to live my life in a productive pleasing way to Him, I miss the mark alot of days. Yet He loves me anyway.
Once in a while I still care about what people think of me. The only real thing that matters is what God thinks of me. I know I am a work in progress :)
I am servant to God, and my family. I make mistakes as a daughter, sister, wife, and mother, and also as a child of Christ.
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