A servant or a slave. One of these words brings thoughts of endearment, love, and compassion. The other thoughts of pain, disgrace, fear, and hate. The reason we see them that way is because of the way they have been used in our society. Slavery among people has always been wrong. God created us all equal, but the idea of slavery and the components of it are beautiful when you have a good master. In the context of the world view, neither one is looked upon as a good thing. However, in the Bible, we get a totally different picture. Let’s look at them by definition and positive application. When we see them from the perspective of our relationship with Christ and our fellow man, it should change our attitude toward them.
What is a servant? This is a person who performs duties for someone else. A slave may perform the same duties as a servant, but they are owned by someone else. The slave is bound to please the master at all costs.
Many in Christian circles are servants. They do good works, taking care of the church property, putting their money in the offering, and attending the services. They go through the motions and get the job done, but they are not owned by anyone. When their duties are done, they go home and think no more of it until it is time to do it again. They have come short of being a slave.
A slave does all a servant does but goes beyond the mere “doing the task,” because they are owned by the master. They want to please the master and relinquish all rights of their own. They have one goal in mind: to honor and make the master happy.
In Exodus 21 we have the laws given referring to the rights of people. It begins by talking about slaves and how they are to be governed. The word servant in this passage is translated as slave. We see in verses 5 & 6 a slave stating he loves his master and his family and chooses to stay for the rest of his life. He is bound by the laws of slavery, by his own choice.
Exodus 21:5 “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.”
In Romans 1:1, Paul identifies himself as a servant of Jesus Christ, but the proper meaning of this word servant, doulos, is slave, one who is not free. It expresses the condition of one who has a master, or who is being controlled by another. This is how Paul saw his relationship with Christ.
This should be our relationship with God. We are not to be just a “servant,” but a slave. Owned by God, and living our life to please him. Laying down our personal rights to fulfill the desires of our Master.
If this is not the way you feel you may still be a mere servant of the church.
A slave becomes the property of the master and gains the favor of the Master. In ancient times, an owner would assess a slave, and pay whatever he felt he was worth. When the transaction was finished the slave would have a new owner.
We have been bought just like slaves were in ancient times. We were at one time a slave to sin; our master was the devil. God, in the splendor of Heaven, looked down and had compassion for man. He once had been the sole owner of all mankind. He had created us and therefore was the rightful owner. Satan tempted man and man yielded to a new master.
When thinking of this in terms of God buying us, it brings great joy to my soul, and a greater desire to please him. Had I been in God’s place, I think I would have written man off, and started all over again. But God, in His infinite love for us, chose to buy us back. He placed a value on us that exceeded any monetary value. The value he placed on us was the life of His Son. He sent His Son to shed His blood to pay the price for us! With a Master like that, how can we not want to be a good slave! A slave can never do enough for His Master. As he serves, he realizes that others are getting the benefit, but he is working for the Master!
Examine yourself. Are you a slave or a servant?
