This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. (Romans 1:1 NLT)
Bill Bright, the founder of the missions organization Campus Crusade for Christ, now simply called Cru, in his book, My Life is Not My Own, published posthumously, writes about a decision he and his wife Vonette made while they were younger. They read in the New Testament how Apostle Paul and other disciples often describe themselves as slaves of Jesus Christ. So, they decided to sign a contract with God, voluntarily surrendering themselves to be his slaves all their lives. They chose to place everything they were and possessed under his ownership. They surrendered all their dreams and all that they had been trying hard to achieve in their own strength to God, laying it all down, trusting that He would bring his will to pass in their lives.
The Brights began to describe themselves as slaves of Jesus Christ everywhere. One day, a reporter from a Christian magazine interviewing Bright asked him to tell about problems he faced. Bill Bright replied that he did not have any problems. The young reporter was confused. Bill Bright then told him: " Young man, you need to understand something. I am a slave of Jesus Christ. It is not the slave's responsibility to be successful, but simply to do what the master asks. When you understand this, you will realize that you don't have problems. All that's left are the opportunity to see the Master work"
Campus Crusade for Christ has since grown from 6 staff members a year after this contract they signed with God to become one of the biggest missionary organizations in history with over 25,000 full-time missionary staff and over 225,000 volunteers worldwide. At Bill's death, he and his wife chose this inscription for his gravestone " A Slave of Jesus Christ by Choice"
People understandably bristle at using the word " slave" because of the negative connotations from the past act of cruelty and injustice committed against fellow humans when they were involuntarily forced into slavery and traded. However, the slavery Paul, Bill Bright and others speak about is voluntary slavery to a good Master, Jesus Christ. The word used in the Greek for "slave" in our text is "doulos." It is a word that paints a picture of voluntary and complete lifelong dedication to the will of another, a master. This is what Paul describes himself as in our text. The following are a few characteristics of such a slave:
1. The slave is owned exclusively by the master. The master paid a price for him. He is not hired. He is owned.
2. The slave is constantly and completely available to the master for anything. He is totally surrendered.
3. The slave is obedient exclusively to only one master. A slave does not have two masters. He is subject to only one will. His rewards and discipline comes from only one master.
4. The slave is completely dependent on the master for everything. All the needs of the slave are the responsibility of the master.
5. The status of a slave is related to who the master is. It was an honor to be a slave in the emperor or kings household.
So when Paul says he is a slave of Jesus Christ, he meant all these. He was bought and therefore exclusively owned by Christ. He was subject to only one will, that of Christ. He was completely dependent on Christ for his direction, instructions , provisions and all of life. It was a honor because he was slave to the King of kings, a loving master and a benevolent friend too. He looks to Christ alone for approval, rewards or censure. He was not the slave of any man. He had no ambition but Christ's vision for him. All his problems where Christ's problems and his glory was Christ's.
What a wonderful approach to life this is. When you become utterly dependent on and sold-out to Christ, letting go of your ambitions and struggles, letting him be the driver of your life. You will be amazed at what peace, joy and fulfillment that will attest your life and the amazing fruitfulness you will enter into when you choose to become a lifelong, voluntary royal slave of the King of kings.
Decision of the Day
I choose to become a slave of Christ today. I willingly sign over my life to him. I am no longer my own. Christ owns me exclusively.
Bill Bright, the founder of the missions organization Campus Crusade for Christ, now simply called Cru, in his book, My Life is Not My Own, published posthumously, writes about a decision he and his wife Vonette made while they were younger. They read in the New Testament how Apostle Paul and other disciples often describe themselves as slaves of Jesus Christ. So, they decided to sign a contract with God, voluntarily surrendering themselves to be his slaves all their lives. They chose to place everything they were and possessed under his ownership. They surrendered all their dreams and all that they had been trying hard to achieve in their own strength to God, laying it all down, trusting that He would bring his will to pass in their lives.
The Brights began to describe themselves as slaves of Jesus Christ everywhere. One day, a reporter from a Christian magazine interviewing Bright asked him to tell about problems he faced. Bill Bright replied that he did not have any problems. The young reporter was confused. Bill Bright then told him: " Young man, you need to understand something. I am a slave of Jesus Christ. It is not the slave's responsibility to be successful, but simply to do what the master asks. When you understand this, you will realize that you don't have problems. All that's left are the opportunity to see the Master work"
Campus Crusade for Christ has since grown from 6 staff members a year after this contract they signed with God to become one of the biggest missionary organizations in history with over 25,000 full-time missionary staff and over 225,000 volunteers worldwide. At Bill's death, he and his wife chose this inscription for his gravestone " A Slave of Jesus Christ by Choice"
People understandably bristle at using the word " slave" because of the negative connotations from the past act of cruelty and injustice committed against fellow humans when they were involuntarily forced into slavery and traded. However, the slavery Paul, Bill Bright and others speak about is voluntary slavery to a good Master, Jesus Christ. The word used in the Greek for "slave" in our text is "doulos." It is a word that paints a picture of voluntary and complete lifelong dedication to the will of another, a master. This is what Paul describes himself as in our text. The following are a few characteristics of such a slave:
1. The slave is owned exclusively by the master. The master paid a price for him. He is not hired. He is owned.
2. The slave is constantly and completely available to the master for anything. He is totally surrendered.
3. The slave is obedient exclusively to only one master. A slave does not have two masters. He is subject to only one will. His rewards and discipline comes from only one master.
4. The slave is completely dependent on the master for everything. All the needs of the slave are the responsibility of the master.
5. The status of a slave is related to who the master is. It was an honor to be a slave in the emperor or kings household.
So when Paul says he is a slave of Jesus Christ, he meant all these. He was bought and therefore exclusively owned by Christ. He was subject to only one will, that of Christ. He was completely dependent on Christ for his direction, instructions , provisions and all of life. It was a honor because he was slave to the King of kings, a loving master and a benevolent friend too. He looks to Christ alone for approval, rewards or censure. He was not the slave of any man. He had no ambition but Christ's vision for him. All his problems where Christ's problems and his glory was Christ's.
What a wonderful approach to life this is. When you become utterly dependent on and sold-out to Christ, letting go of your ambitions and struggles, letting him be the driver of your life. You will be amazed at what peace, joy and fulfillment that will attest your life and the amazing fruitfulness you will enter into when you choose to become a lifelong, voluntary royal slave of the King of kings.
Decision of the Day
I choose to become a slave of Christ today. I willingly sign over my life to him. I am no longer my own. Christ owns me exclusively.
Wow... awesome word Pastor Lan and definitely a word in due season. Thank you for sharing sir
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