Good Slaves

At men’s breakfast this morning, Alan D. talked on Slavery and what marks a good Slave.

First is the truth that God’s people are called slaves, Jesus’ followers called themselves slaves, and His followers are called slaves.

1. Called Slaves – Romans 6:16-18, 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.
2. Called themselves Slaves (the word “bondservant” is the same word for “slave”)
   Titus 1:1, Paul, a bondservant of God
   James 1:1, James, a bondservant of God
   II Peter 1:1, Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ

3. Followers are called Slaves – Romans 6:18, And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.

I Corinthians 6:19-20, Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?  For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

So, do I think like a Slave? Am I a good Slave? A good slave is marked by: 

1. Fully Surrendered

Galatians 2:20, I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

2. Fully Submissive

James 4:7-8, Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.

Matthew 26:39, “Let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”

3. Fully Obedient

John 8:29, And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.

4. Fully Trusting

Proverbs 3:5-6, Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

II Corinthians 3:4-5, we have such trust through Christ toward God. Not that we are sufficient of ourselves to think of anything as being from ourselves, but our sufficiency is from God

5. Fully Hoping

Hebrews 6:16-20, 17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise  the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.

6. Diligent to know the Master

II Peter 1:3-11, 3, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness…5, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge…10, Brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;

So, the question?  Am I a good Slave?

What need I do that I might be fully pleasing to my Master – the loving, benevolent, good God?