Servants

                                                                                                                                                                    

Aloha Dearest Family,

                When I first became a Christian and started studying the Bible, I learned something that I considered life-changing. I learned that I was a son of God Almighty and not a servant. All of the great men in the Old Testament were servants of God. A few of these men like Abraham and  Moses had such a close relationship with God that they were considered “friends of God.”  (James 2:23, Exodus 33:1)  But in general, the best that anyone in the Old Testament could be was a servant of God. This is why Galatians 4:7 is so earth shattering to the church today.  

“Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” 

 Being a child or son of God  is now available through the work of our brother Jesus Christ. This kind of relationship was not available to Old Testament believers. Knowing this, it may seem a bit confusing when we read the Apostle Paul referring to himself as a servant (Romans 1:1). Even Peter calls himself a servant in II Peter 1:1. What’s the deal? I thought we just learned that we were sons (and daughters) of God?

                This can be better understood if we know a little about the culture of the times in the Bible. In the Roman world where the New Testament is set, slavery was a common practice. It was not unusual for a wealthy family to own a slave, or many slaves. (Just about every country on earth has allowed slavery at one time or another). However, this practice was a bit different among the Hebrew people. If a man found himself in debt, he could “sell yourself” to his debtor for a period of six years to pay off his debt. In the seventh year he was released, because it was the Jubilee year. (See Exodus 21:2, and Leviticus 25:39, 40) If however, that man, after six years, chooses to stay with his master and not be released, he would go through a special ceremony.

                “And if the servant shall plainly say, I love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free: Then his master shall bring him unto the judges; he shall also bring him to the door, or unto the door post; and his master shall bore his ear through with an aul; and he shall serve him forever.” (Exodus 21:5 and 6) 

 If the man chooses to stay with his master his ear is pierced and he wears a special ring, the mark of his master.

                Now you may ask, “Why would anyone in his right mind choose to be a bond slave for the rest of his life?” It’s true that the bond slave must serve the master in whatever the master requires, but the master is also obligated to take care of all of the needs of the servant. He must feed him, clothe him and take care of his family (perhaps send his children to college – in our day). This would be the responsibilities of the master.

                In the Greek language this type of sold out, bond slave would be called a doulos. In the New Testament, this type of commitment was the greatest type of Christian service. In the Bullingers Critical Greek Lexicon, it says of this word, “Doulos is used of the lowest scale of servitude but when transferred to Christian service it expresses the highest devotion of one who is bound by love.”  Paul, Peter and others chose, by their own freedom of will, to become sold-out, bond slaves for their Master. Even though they are sons of God, they chose to become servants.  Now God would be required to take care of the needs of the doulos.

                “Paul, a servant (doulos) of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,” (Romans 1:1)

                “Simon Peter, a servant (doulos) and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ:” (II Peter 1:1)

                “And Mary said, Behold the handmaid (doule) of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.” (Luke 1:38) (Doule being the female form of doulos)

         The greatest example of all was the Lord Jesus Christ, 

“But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant (doulos), and was made in the likeness of men:” Philippians 2:7) 

Jesus Christ was the only begotten son of God, but by his own free will, he became a doulos for God His father and in service to others. Even to the point of laying down his life as a ransom for us all, “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.” (Philippians 2:8)  Why did he do it? Because the Father required it of him. This is the true heart of a bond slave. To give all to please the one who has called him.

                              Love Always, Ray