Many Americans instinctively cringe at the thought of servitude, slavery or bondage, and its no wonder since our country was founded in freedom in the very act of breaking away of servitude to the King of England.
The dictionary definition of a slave is someone who is bound to labor without wages.
So why I am writing a blog about being a slave/servant in the first place?
During our very mini debrief my squad had the awesome opportunity to be taught by each one of our incredible SQLs on the theme of Servitude, Stewardship & Shepherding. While all of the them had an impact on me, and my views, but the one that hit me the hardest was the one teaching that Kaitlin did titled “Earmarked”, where she prefaced the story of Malchus- The bondservant to the Jewish High priest who was there to arrest Jesus. As a result of her teaching it got me thinking about this topic & gave me a desire to dig deeper into this concept.
10 Just then Simon Peter, who was carrying a sword, pulled it from its sheath and struck the Chief Priest’s servant, cutting off his right ear. Malchus was the servant’s name.”- John 18:10
It’s because I am talking about a different kind of servitude/bondage then the normal idea of what it means to be involved in any kind of forced servitude.
The biblical definition says that it is someone who chooses to serve his master until death. He/she will forever wear the mark of his master (right ear pierced) as a sign of love & ownership. He/she accomplishes all the master’s will for his life because of this kind of love called Agape. There are no loose ends/frustrations or indecision. Also eternity for the bond servant is marked with glorious rewards.
Many do not understand the role of bond servant in relation to our master, Jesus, or know the traits of a bond servant of Christ- A bond servant of Christ is:
- emptied of self, and walks in deep humility before the Lord faithfully obeying him to the point of suffering, hardship, humiliation and even death if required. (Phil. 2:5-8, Luke 1:38)
- has a deep & genuine concern for the welfare of others (Phil. 2:20-21, Col. 4:13-14)
- Seeks to encourage, comfort, and strengthens others (Col. 4:7-8)
- Strives to do the will of his master, and please him only and has abandoned seeking after the praise of others. (Gal. 1:10, 2 Cor. 5:9)
- Does not promote or exalt self but promotes and exalts Christ as Lord of all, and views self as a bond slave of others to fulfill the call of Christ. (2 Cor 4:5)
- Is not quarrelsome, but kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged gently correcting those who are in opposition. (2 Tim. 2:24-25)
- Sees his/her life of service as a grateful, dutiful, and loving response to God and it is not something for which he/she expects to be thanked by his/her master, but rather rewarded for his/her faithfullness. (Luke 17: 7-10, Rom. 12: 1-2, Eph. 6:5-8)
As a matter this kind of servitude is actually my choice, and my desire. And that choice is to be a bond servant to Jesus as Jesus is my one true master of my life, and I will gladly serve him until the day I die, and if you are curious to know yes I actually do have my right ear pierced. I may not be perfect in all of this areas, but I am learning & growing every day in those areas of being a bond servant in that I am weak in my life.
This was a hard lesson for me to learn, and if you have heard my testimony then you know my story, but since being on the race I have learned that, and it is something that I now take very seriously, so much so that the next step in my life is my plan to go to seminary to become a pastor because I want to serve my master for the rest of my life, and bid his will for my life.
Thank you Kaitlin for teaching on this as it really opened my eyes, and made me realize my Kingdom role.
Til next time your fellow sister in Christ & faithful servant,
Bonnie
Team Titan
P Squad
Psalms 18:2
YOLO
(the title is a take off the Britney Spears song: I’m a slave 4 you)
