SLAVES OF CHRIST - PART II

When Paul wrote the book of Philippians under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, He wrote it in Greek, which was the common language at that time. He used the Greek word "duolos" to describe his relationship with our Lord Jesus. Duolos means slave. Slaves are defined as people who are owned, and not simply hired servants. They are under their master's total control. Throughout the history of humankind, slaves have had negative connotations because it is often associated with brutal, inhumane treatment of another person. Slavery was often forced through war and desperate circumstances. For example, if a tribe conquered another tribe, the conquered tribe would become slaves. In a desperate situation, the parents sold their children into slavery to survive. In the case of Joseph, his brothers sold him into slavery because of jealousy. One of the ways to get out of slavery is to pay for their freedom with the allowance that they get from their masters. 

Paul described himself as a slave of Christ Jesus. He saw himself as completely subordinate and loyal to Jesus as his Lord and Master. The biblical concept of a slave of Christ Jesus is a voluntary, joyful submission rather than a forced, dehumanizing one. Paul understood that he was once a slave to sin, bound to go to hell because of it, yet with God's mercy, grace, and love, Jesus bought his freedom from the slavery to sin with His life. As a result, he was freed from the enslavement of sin, and his new identity as a person was in Christ Jesus. Paul's exclusive loyalty was to Jesus. His primary goal in life was to please and obey God by submitting to His command through the Word of God. As believers of our Lord Jesus, we are slaves to Christ. Titus 2:14 says, "He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds."

We must be a people of God who are completely submitted to the will of our Lord Jesus. Our identity is now in Christ Jesus, not in the possessions that we have, nor the work, education, status, and family that we have. Jesus gave His life for us so that we may live in freedom from the slavery of sin, that we may live a new life that is dedicated to submitting ourselves to the authority of our Lord Jesus. 

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) Describe a slave of Christ. Do I describe myself as a slave of Christ Jesus? Why do I need to submit myself to the authority of my Lord Jesus completely? 

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, I was once a slave to sin, and you rescued me by the life of my Lord Jesus. I acknowledge that I am a slave of Christ Jesus. With that, my complete identity is in Christ Jesus. Please help me to live a life that is completely submitted to the will of my Lord Jesus. Thank you for saving me. In your name, Jesus, I pray. Amen.