Devotion #3: Willing Slaves

“What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.” Romans 6:15-18 (NKJV) 

I joyfully, happily, and thankfully declare that I am a slave of the Lord Jesus Christ! How about you? 

For most people, the word “slaves” evokes negative, even upsetting emotions. When we hear the word, we process it through the horrors of human trafficking, the fight of the civil rights movement, or the ancient enslavement of the Hebrew people in Egypt. We rightfully recoil at the idea of the oppression of others by wicked people. While we (and God) condemn human slavery and its horrors in nearly every category, there is one form of it that is right and good, even beautiful. The Greek word “doulos,” used throughout the New Testament to describe Christians, refers to an unforced, voluntary, and joyful giving of ourselves to another. This kind of “slave” is commonly called a “bond slave.” 

The concept of a bond slave comes from the Old Testament books of Exodus and Deuteronomy. In Deuteronomy 15:12-17, we read that in the land of Israel, if a Hebrew man or woman became a slave (often to pay off debt), they could only remain a slave for six years. In the seventh year, they and their debts were to be released, and they were to be allowed to go free. This was God’s Law and a way of protecting people from becoming oppressed. However, in verses 16-17 of that passage, we read about something that could occur. Verses 16-17 says, “And if it happens that he says to you, ‘I will not go away from you,’ because he loves you and your house, since he prospers with you, then you shall take an awl and thrust it through his ear to the door, and he shall be your servant forever.” The description here is simply this: if a slave, upon release, says, “No, I want to stay with you as your servant,” he can do so because it is voluntary. He has the ability to leave, but love keeps him there. The person that does this is called a bondservant or a bond slave. 

Paul writes in Romans 6:16, “Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey.” He continues in verse 18 with the words, “And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.” He is referring to the process of a bond slave giving himself to the one who is setting him free. Here, he reminds us that it was the Lord Jesus who released us from the bondage of our sins and the death we deserved. He forgave our debts and set us free. As His people, we do not just take our freedom and go! His love for us causes a loving response in us. As He says, “You are free,” we look to Him and say, “I am Yours. You have loved me. I love You. I want to remain with You forever. I am Your servant and a willing slave of my King.” As we do this, we become that bond slave, a willing “doulos” to our God. 

What a joy to say that I am His slave. For in saying it, I am declaring that I am His forever! I am happy to shout it. 

How about you? Can you say it? “Lord, I am Your slave forever.”