Bond Servant

Bond Servant

Act as free men, and do not use your freedom as a covering for evil, but use it as bondslaves of God. –1 Peter 2:16 (NASB)

Occasionally I catch myself carefully preparing how I will introduce myself to someone I want to meet, carefully weighing what connection to mention that will give me credibility and status in that person’s estimation, while also trying to appear unmistakably humble. Pretty pathetic, isn’t it?

The first thing we say about ourselves or the way we identify ourselves when we meet someone new makes a strong statement about how we see ourselves and where we find our significance. This insight into ourselves adds meaning to the way Peter, Paul, John, and James introduced themselves at the beginning of their letters. Each of these writers introduced themselves the same way—as a bond servant or slave of Jesus Christ (see Romans 1:1; James 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1; and Revelation 1:1). It’s as if they said, The most important thing about me is that I’ve made Jesus Christ my master. Obeying him is the focus of my life. He is so precious to me, I’ve willingly bonded myself to him as his servant for life. “Bond servant” didn’t just describe them; it defined them. It reflected a recognition that they had been bought by and were owned by Christ and were utterly submitted to what pleased him.

What does it mean to be a bond servant? A bond servant is not just a slave, but a slave who has willingly committed himself to serve a master he loves and respects, even when given the opportunity to leave. This kind of slavery is chosen, not imposed—the result of freedom, not compulsion.

Do you see yourself as a bond servant, or do you see God as your servant, obligated to fulfill your desires and follow your instructions offered up as prayers? Becoming a bond servant is not solely for super-saints. It is the calling of every believer. Are you willing to define yourself by your yieldedness to Christ? When we see him for who he really is and for how well he loves us, becoming his bond servant is a sweet surrender—not because we’re forced to, but because we want to.

Master Jesus, I realize that you are not forcing me into slavery. Becoming your bond servant is my choice. And my choice is made. I want to relinquish my independence, surrender my will, and declare my loyalty to you.

DIGGING DEEPER