Two Kinds of Slavery

Something I've been meaning to blog about for a while now. 

I have this "blogging notebook" where I scrawl ideas and blog titles in the hopes of getting them done, eventually. Just so you know, I have about fifty blog titles. (I think I've said this before...) Anyway, I wanted to do this one next!! :D 

Slavery. 

It's something that the world hates. It's something that the world has had plenty of. Ever since nations knew of other nations, they've conquered and enslaved one another. It's our history; it's our way. Even today, there are slaves of all kinds and types all over the world. 

When you hear the word slavery, what do you think of? 

The countless number of Africans who were shipped away from their home to spend their lives under subjection and cruelty, known only as property and in the eyes of their masters worth less than a good hunting dog?

The nations subdued by the Romans, enslaved under the rule of that great empire? 

The sex slaves being sold even today? 

Slavery is not a kind thing in this world. Men enslave one another with no second thoughts. 

Many have claimed that the Bible is evil because it endorses slavery. Others have stated that it may not endorse slavery, but it also does not speak against it. I beg to differ. 

1 Timothy 1:8-11 - "Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted." 

The Bible clearly states that enslaving others is "contrary to sound doctrine". Men who enslave other men are sinning. People are not meant to be slaves of other people. 

Aside from that kind of slavery, which is the most easily seen, there are two kinds of slavery. 

One kind is slavery to sin. 

John 8:34 - "Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin."

Jesus is pretty specific here, I think. Everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin. Well, who commits sin? (Ten points for the answer.) 

Without Christ, we're all slaves to sin. That's how we begin. That's how it's been since the Fall. 

Romans 6:16 - "Do you not know that if you present yourselves to anyone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness?"

Sin is a terrible master. Sin destroys us, manipulates us, crushes us, and yet leaves us with the sense that we'd be lost without it. We need it in order to survive. We can't possibly escape, and even if we could, how would we make it on our own? Have you ever tried to stop sinning, only to find yourself falling back into the same bad habits you were formerly accustomed to? Sin is a terrible taskmaster. 

J. R. R. Tolkien really captured the essence of sin in the Ring and its effect on Gollum. 

Gollum hated and loved the Ring; we hate and love our sin. We are torn between its cruelty and its seduction. 

However, we're not left in this state! There is another form of slavery. There is another Master, a greater Master. 

This Master is the One Who died for us, to pay the debt of slavery to sin we sold ourselves into. 

Romans 6:6 - "We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin."

Those in Christ are no longer slaves to sin! Do you know what this means? This means that I can not sin! Not that I cannot sin - I can, and still do, often - what I mean is that when faced with a sinful situation, I can, with the help of the Holy Spirit, choose righteousness; choose life! I am no longer predisposed to choose death and sin and destruction. I have a choice now! 

This means that being a slave to Christ is true freedom. Unbelievers have no choice - they are sinning against God, all the time, without a scrap of righteousness to show even for their "good" works. They are slaves to sin, all the time. 

Believers are slaves to Christ. We are clothed in His righteousness - the price has been paid. God looks on us and sees His children, not His enemies. He views us through Christ. 

Romans 6:17 - "But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed,"

Romans 6:22 - "But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life."

We are free slaves of God. This is not a contradiction, but the solid truth. Listen to how the authors of books of the Bible class themselves:

Romans 1:1 - "Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God..."

Philippians 1:1 - "Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are at Philippi, with the overseers and deacons..."

James 1:1 - "James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings."

2 Peter 1:1 - "Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ..."

Jude 1:1 - "Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James, To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ..."

"Servant" literally means "bondservant", which is another word for slave. These great men of God classed themselves as slaves of Jesus Christ. 

So, what does it mean for us to be slaves of Jesus? What has our Master commanded? 

Mark 13:32-37 - "But concerning that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on guard, keep awake. For you do not know when the time will come. It is like a man going on a journey, when he leaves home and puts his servants in charge, each with his work, and commands the doorkeeper to stay awake. Therefore stay awake—for you do not know when the master of the house will come, in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning— lest he come suddenly and find you asleep. And what I say to you I say to all: Stay awake."

Jesus commands us to be vigilant. I get so sick of hearing people claim they know the time when Jesus will return. They should stop trying to discern the day and instead prepare for the day! Are you doing all you can for Christ? Are you spreading the word as far as you can? Are you preparing yourself for the day when you will stand before your Master? 

Psalm 111:10 - "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!"

Do we practice fearing the Lord? Do we respect Him as a wise and good Master? Do we obey His commands or brush them off as "things to do later"? 

There is no later. There is now. We are living now, Christ is watching now. 

Are we serving Him well? 

(I was reminded of this post I wrote so long ago. We're given commands, but we're also given everything we need in order to carry out those commands.)

Jesus is a worthy Master. Jesus builds us up, shows us the truth, restores us, and never leaves us nor forsakes us. We need Jesus in order to be reconciled to God. We can't possibly escape God's wrath otherwise. Jesus is our gracious, loving, personal Lord and Saviour. 

He is our worthy Master. He is our Lord and Saviour. He gave Himself up for us by His gracious love, that we might be redeemed and restored to God by faith in Christ! He deserves our service, and our praise. 

Deuteronomy 10:21 - "He is your praise. He is your God, who has done for you these great and terrifying things that your eyes have seen."

Revelation 19:5 - "And from the throne came a voice saying, “Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, small and great.”"