Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ,To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. [Philippians 1:1-2 NKJV]
A bondservant is not a servant. He is not like a butler or kitchen staff in great manor, who is employed, receives wages, and may find employment elsewhere at his own discretion. It is a much greater commitment.
Nor is a bondservant a slave as we normally think of slaves. A slave is captured or sold and forced into slavery.
A bondservant willingly gives himself over to slavery. It is giving yourself to a master to whom you owe your life and everything you have. It describes a relationship we should have with Jesus, our Lord and Master.
When Jesus died on the cross, He shed His blood to pay a life debt for us. We were all guilty of sin in God's eyes, and there is no good deed that could ever compensate for that sin. As a result of our sin we faced a punishment of eternal hell.
On the cross, Jesus took all of our sin upon Himself.
For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. [2 Corinthians 5:21 NKJV]
Instead of punishment, we have received adoption.
For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, [Romans 8:14-16 NKJV]
We owe Jesus everything. Our lives, our possessions, our time, our relationships...Everything.
Yes, we are children of God, and Jesus is our firstborn brother. Yes, we have freedom. But it is not freedom to do all that we desire; that is of the flesh. We have been set free from the bondage of sin.
Once we were slaves to sin. Involuntarily forced into slavery of sin leading to death and eternal damnation.
We have been set free from slavery, so that we can give ourselves freely to be bondservants of Jesus.
Pray with me;
Jesus, I offer myself to You. I am your slave. I give myself freely to you so that you may control and direct every aspect of my life.
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