It’s Independence Day weekend. As Americans we value our freedom, don’t we? Our Nation has been founded on its virtues, and we instinctively recognize basic liberties that every human being should have. And slavery isn’t one of them. So when Scripture refers to us as servants, slaves, or any other term of subservience, it puts us on edge. We don’t want to feel trapped. We trust God, but we love our freedom, and anything opposite of that doesn’t sound very appealing.
At times, the Apostle Paul in his letters to believers called himself a servant, slave, or bondservant of Christ (Romans 1:1). He was not only referring to his circumstances as a captive in prison for Jesus’ sake, but he was also expressing his deep commitment to serve his Master. A person can only do that when he trusts God implicitly, without reservation, to look out for The Father’s best interests; and he understands the voluntary nature of the term. The biblical ideal for servanthood is to willingly offer oneself to meet the needs of others. It’s tragic when freedoms are taken from us, but it’s beautiful when we give them up for divine and eternal causes. Paul gave them up out of his love for Jesus, and he urged his readers to do the same.
Astonishingly, even Jesus came to us in this role. He declared Himself a servant on our behalf and washed the feet of His followers as we see in the Gospel of John, chapter 13.
“I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master.” (John 13:15-16)
While Roman culture then and Western culture today look down on servanthood, Jesus lifted it up as the key to greatness. In essence He claimed, You want to go up in God’s Kingdom? Go down. Embrace humility. Serve God, and in serving Him serve others. I have learned, am learning, and will continue to learn that having a lowly attitude and posture is an extremely high Kingdom value.
Let’s Enjoy Our Freedom. Even fight for it, not only for ourselves, but also for others. But in our freedom, let’s choose to be bound to Christ in His service. Let’s trust Him so thoroughly that we can relinquish all our concerns and decisions to Him, defaulting to His guidance above all other competing inclinations, agendas, or voices. Know that The Master will use us not only for the good of His Kingdom, but also for our own good. There is absolutely nothing to fear in His service. When we abandon all to Him, we will receive all from Him. And that is the magnificence of freedom for those of us who truly are. Agree?
Have a celebratory weekend. Make it better by worshiping The Lord with those who have found the secret of true freedom which is nothing short of being a slave to the King of kings, and the Lord or lords.
All For Jesus – Nothing More, Nothing Less, Nothing Else.
“He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, The King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see, to Him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen.” (1 Timothy 6:15b-16)
Vic Alvarado 