The Master

Philippians 1:1, Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ,

Galatians 2:20, I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me;

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.

A Christian is a slave of God as was Jesus:   Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work, John 4:34.

I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me, John 5:30.

We Americans are quick to react to the idea of being a slave because of the images and stories most Americans have of slavery in her history. (Those images and stories are true, yet there is more to the story in that many slaves had good lives serving wonderful owners.)

Consider the Christian’s Master/Owner – God!

He is kind – For His merciful kindness is great toward us, Ps. 117:2

He is good – Good and upright is the Lord; Ps. 25:8

He is merciful – I will sing of the mercies of the Lord forever; Ps. 89:1

He is faithful – With my mouth will I make known Your faithfulness, Ps. 89:1

He blesses – He blesses the home of the just, Prov. 3:33

He protects – He is a shield to all who trust in Him, II Sam. 22:31

He provides – the Lord will take care of me, Ps. 27:10

He loves – For God so loved the world that He gave, John 3:16

He heals – He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds, Ps. 147:3

He is just – God is a just judge, Ps. 7:11

He is gentle – I drew them with gentle cords, Hosea 11:4

God is strong – underneath are the everlasting arms, Deut. 33:27

He is security – I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you, Is. 41:10

He is approachable – casting all your cares on Him, He cares for you, I Peter 5:7

He responds to requests – You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, James 4:3

Translated:  The Christian’s owner is amazing!  He is wonderful!  He is great!  He is a YES!

It means – what thinking person would not want to work for such a Master?

Oh sure, it means limits, bounds, restrictions, and directives.  It means there is NO freedom to slack off, feign sick or make demands.  It means, “Not my will!”  It means I don’t get to pick the jobs I want to do or the people I get to work with.  It means being submissive. It means giving up personal “freedom”.

And what is the end of doing it my way?  Frustration, emptiness, “boney fingers”, helplessness, fear, anger, guilt and confusion while driving a new car, living on an acreage, owning horses and whatever else entices all which deteriorate, cost time and money, bring headaches and eventually need replaced or left behind.  (A slave of God might have worldly, earthly, material perks but they are always for God’s usage and disposal.)

In contrast, full and joyful submission to God as Master yields a life of peace, joy, love, purpose, well-being, hope, sweet relationships, beauty, and even excitement.

It is a life full of “Go, God!”

Again, what thinking person would not be thrilled to be a slave of God?