Tuesday, September 09, 2008

Slaves of Christ? - September 9, 2008

Good Tuesday morning! The light of the Lord Jesus Christ shines in you today! In the world, slaves are gained through conquest. Despotic rulers force slaves to do their bidding through threats and intimidation. To be a slave in this world is a shameful thing for both the slave and the master. Why then would the apostles claim to be slaves of Christ Jesus? Why volunteer to be a slave? One answer may lie in humility. These men and women in the early church humbled themselves in order to show others that they were no longer in charge. We come to Jesus in total surrender, and Jesus accepts our surrender. However, I don't believe that Jesus accepts any slaves. Instead, He tells us, "Stand, and walk with Me!" Whatever will the world do with the One who has no desire to conquer, but accepts total surrender? The same One who begins life as new, only after we come to the end of our self. The One who loves the unlovable and raises up the spiritually dead. The Savior who accepts the vanquished, though He did not defeat them, and raises them up to be His friends. Whatever will the world do with this Jesus?

We know that Jesus and the world do not mix. The world can only decide on an individual basis. Accept Jesus as Lord, or reject the only Way to salvation. It is interesting that the ones who claim to be slaves, the apostles and each of us who believe in Jesus, are not, and the ones who claim to be free in this world, are. I am so glad that Jesus has set us free! Praise God for the life of Jesus!

Have a wonderful and Christ-filled day!

Bucky

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