When i say the word slavery what comes to mind? Is it the ugly that disgraced our nation for over a century?Then the ,bitterness, and shame that often follows those thoughts?
Or is your take on slavery different?Maybe when i say "slavery" you think freedom. Then the joy, , and love that often follows these thoughts?
Today i discovered the second view, the joy of slavery....
Let me quote ya some verses......
Ephesians 6:6 (New International Version)
Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.
huh slaves of Christ......
1 Corinthians 7:22 (New International Version)
For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord's freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ's slave.
well i was never a slave to a man, and i have been called to salvation by the lord so i am now Christ's Slave
Romans 7:25 (New International Version)
25Thanks be to Godâ€"through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
ok so a slave to God's law....that is my mission in order to be Christ's slave, i must deny my self and my sinful nature, and follow Christ instead of my flesh...
For Christ said
Matthew 16:24 (New International Version)
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
Now this self denial and cross carrying must be important because Christ said it not once, not twice, but at least three times that i Know of at the moment (Matthew 16:24,Mark 8:34,Luke 9:23)
So what are the rewards of Slavery in the name of Jesus?
1.Eternal life in beautiful downtown Heaven
2.Riches, Rewards (Hebrews 11:6, God will reward those who earnestly seek him)
3.C'mon can ya Guess?????............are ya thinking?????..............FREEDOM...Don't think that our loving master Christ will not set us free in reward for our faithful servitude,John 8:36"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed." Following Christ daily and whole heartedly has the power to set us free from the bonds of this world. To be Sanctified.
1 Corinthians 6:10-12 (New International Version)
10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
oh i could go on and on, on this subject but the hour is late ,so i'll leave you with a song, and a request for prayer, I'm leaving on a service/missions trip tomorrow and i like prayer for our crew going, we'll be working in Tennessee where it's 2 billion degrees in the shade right now. so please pray for health and spiritual growth this week, i'd appreciate it
and now the song
Free Will by Tait (you've got to read this one all the way through to understand)
Free Will
To the maker of this house
The holder of the key
I gave You my heart
But held some back for me
Someday I would give You
Everything I am
But I stole my road to freedom
I took the key and ran
Disconnected
With my hands over my ears
You said You would meet me
If I'd reach out
I got a free will
I'm gonna use it
I got a free will
Yes, I do
Thank You for this gift
It's still a mystery
My freedom in Your hands
Is how it's meant to be
It's only when I give You
Everything I am
Bittersweet surrender
Take me
I got a free will
I'm gonna use it
I got a free will
Yes, I do
Something ain't right
You gotta let it go
Something ain't right
You gotta let it go
I'm gonna make it right
I'm letting go
And it's up to me
I got a free will
I got a free will
I'm gonna use it
I got a free will
Yes, I do
I got a free will
And I've got to lose it
So I give my free will
Back to You
Yes, I do
The son has set me free
And I am free indeed
