While I live in a free country and I am a free man, I willingly choose to be the slave of Christ. To the world choosing to be a slave to anything or anyone makes no sense but may I submit to you that obeying my new master, Jesus Christ, actually leads to, not slavery, but true freedom! As I have grown in my walk with the Lord I have learned that God calls us to obey, not because He needs us but because He realizes we need Him.
In one of the most insightful observations, I have ever read, relating to this issue, John MacArthur states the following: “Murray Harris has observed: One of the classic Christian paradoxes is that freedom leads to slavery and slavery leads to freedom.”1 MacArthur goes on to add: “While nothing in the Bible is contradictory, many of the Bible’s most provocative and profound truths appear to us paradoxical.”2 As a Christian for over 40 years I have learned the truth of this paradoxical, free to be a slave, idea as it relates to Christ.
When I was an atheist back in the 1970’s, I indeed was free to do what I pleased, but inside I felt like I was a slave to my thoughts. No matter what I did I never experienced real joy, didn’t know what my purpose for living was, and, try as I might, I often found myself doing things to please others for no other reason than to be well-liked and accepted. So, in actuality, I was a slave to my faulty thinking and often found myself in bondage to what I perceived other people thought of me.
But as a Christian I willingly and joyfully choose to obey my new master and Savior, not because I have to but because I want to. I love what Pastor MacArthur shares relating to this point: “As slaves to righteousness, believers are “under obligation” (Rom. 8:12; cf. 6:18) to honor God in how they live. Yet, for those who belong to Christ, the motivation to obey is far more profound than mere duty. “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.”3
My friends when I totally fell in love with Jesus, obedience to His commandments became a joy and a sheer delight because as the Creator of the universe I realized that He alone deserves my highest praises because of who He is and what He has done for me. How could I not want to obey someone who loved me so much that He died for me so I could be released from the slavery I was in to sin. How could I not want to obey someone who promises me eternal life. How could I not want to obey someone who promises me peace, joy, and abundant meaning while living in a world that is in total bondage to Satan. And how could I not want to obey someone who loves me so much that He calls me His treasured possession! (Deuteronomy 14:2 NIV).
If obedience to Christ makes me a slave – then count me in!
1 Slave: The Hidden Truth about Your Identity in Christ by John MacArthur – Bible Portal
2 Slave: The Hidden Truth about Your Identity in Christ by John MacArthur – Bible Portal
3 Slave: The Hidden Truth about Your Identity in Christ by John MacArthur – Bible Portal
“ …living in a world that is in total bondage to Satan.”
This is the same language I have previously addressed as “Satan is the god of this world.” However, the Bible paints a different picture, especially since the crucifixion, resurrection and ascension of Jesus who has been given all authority. Consider the following descriptions of this toothless lion and be encouraged:
He flees in the face of our resistance (James 4:7)
The only power he has is what we give him or is granted by God (2Cor 12:7-12)
He is Biblically described as defeated, disarmed and spoiled (Col 2:15; Rev 12:7 and Mark 3:27)
He has “fallen” (Luke 10:18)
He was “thrown down” (Rev 12:9)
He is “crushed” under the feet of Christians (Romans 16:20)
He has lost authority over Christians (Col 1:13)
He has been “judged” (John 16:11)
Now will the ruler of this world be cast out. Luke 12:31
He cannot “touch” a Christian (I John 5:18)
His works have been destroyed
(I John 3:8)
He has been ”cast out.” (John 12:31,32)
He has “nothing” (John 14:30)
He is “bound” (Mark 3:27; Luke 11:20)
The gates of hell “shall not overpower” the advancing church (Matt 16:18)
Christ not only purchased our salvation by His death, He defeated Satan and death. Oh, death, where is thy sting? I Cor. 15:55
I heard the following once: “The worst kind of slavery is to have
the freedom to sin, and the best kind of freedom is to be a slave of Jesus Christ.”
I totally and willingly want to be freely enslaved by Jesus!!!
We believers are not under the bondage of Satan anymore like the world is, but now are bondservants of Christ.