Living as a Slave of Christ Today

The Surprising Word That Defines the Christian Life

When you describe your Christian faith to others what one word do you think would sum it up? Would it be believer, follower, or child of God? All of those are true but there is a word that captures the heart of our relationship to Christ that most of today would never use: slave. We often see the word servant, but the Greek word that we see translated servant is doúlos which literally means slave.

Why “Servant” Really Means “Slave” in Scripture

As slaves of Christ when we see the word servant in scripture, we should really be reading the word slave. Slavery in the biblical world was based on poverty, debt, or war rather than race. Because of this historical difference, Bible translators felt the word slave had too harsh a connotation to be translated literally, so they softened it to servant.

For many, the use of the word "slave" only reminds them of horrible injustices perpetrated and often justified, wrongly, by twisting Scripture. When we are called "slaves of Christ" in the Bible, it is a willing and redeemed bondage to a loving Master who died for us. It doesn't involve coercion, degradation, or racial superiority. If that word is too hurtful to you, hang onto bondservant or "owned by love" (Isaiah 43:1) but don't let the enemy rob you of the truth that you belong body and soul to your Father who cherishes even the hairs on your head.

Today, we see the word doúlos translated as slave more often in reference to a meaning of total ownership, like slaves to sin or slaves to righteousness. It is translated as servant when the meaning has more nuance. We are, however, quite literally slaves that have been bought with a price, the precious blood of Christ which freed us from sin. However, the contrast between human slavery and slavery to Christ could not be more dramatic. Instead of oppression, Scripture redefines it around love, freedom, and belonging.

"We are, quite literally, slaves that have been bought with a price, the precious blood of Christ."

Jesus as the Perfect Model of a Willing Slave

This redeemed slavery is perfectly displayed in Christ Himself as Paul tells us (Philippians 2:7) because He submitted willingly and lovingly to His Father's will. Jesus took the form of a servant. God's will is Jesus' will. They were one and the same. In turn, Jesus tells us to become what He is, a servant (or slave) also totally submitted to the will of the Father.

In John 13:1-17 Jesus exemplifies this servitude by washing the feet of the disciples. No doubt they were utterly shocked by Jesus taking on the job of a slave. The most socially inferior people of the day were the ones who washed the feet of the guests. Jesus shows his disciples exactly what He means by this act and goes on to say, "a servant is not greater than his master; nor is he who is sent greater than he who sent him" (John 13:16). In other words, Jesus is telling them that if He is willing to take on this humble role so should they.

Does it somehow feel degrading to be called a slave of Christ? What does Philippians 2:1-11 say about this? Here Paul tells us to humbly have the mind of Christ. Jesus, we are told, took the form of a bondservant, literally a slave, and humbled Himself to die on the cross. The cross itself was a form of execution normally reserved for slaves and people who were not citizens of Rome.

Slaves of Christ: Waiting for the Master

A slave's life revolved around the will of His master. He had to be willing and able to perform his duties whenever he was asked. There was no slacking off or no excuses for what needed to be done. Jesus perfectly embodied this readiness to serve in every aspect of His life and He expects the same from His followers.

In Luke 12:35-40 we read that Jesus tells his disciples to be like servants (slaves) dressed for action with lamps lit and ready for the Master to come home at any time. They must have been confused by this because Jesus had not left them at this point. They still did not understand His coming death and resurrection. Jesus continues and explains that they must be alert and awake enough to open the door when the Master returns and knocks.

Those who the Master finds ready and prepared for His return will receive what I consider to be an unfathomable blessing. In Luke 12:37 Jesus explains this blessing. The Master Himself "will gird himself and have them sit down to eat, and will come and serve them." Jesus' role as servant will continue. I cannot imagine having Jesus serve me anymore than the disciples could picture Him washing their feet!

Faithful vs. Unfaithful Stewards: What Christ Expects

Jesus continues to explain to His disciples the difference between a faithful steward and an unfaithful steward. A steward was in charge of the entire household of slaves. Normally, he was also a slave. It was His responsibility to make sure that everything was ready for the Master's return.

We are all stewards in a sense because everything we have, our abilities, our talents, the very air we breathe that gives us life is all given to us by God. As those He has purchased, we are charged to use these things to accomplish His will. Living as a slave of Christ means allowing Him total control of our lives. The faithful steward is blessed Jesus tells them but the unfaithful steward awaits a different fate.

To be a faithful steward today might look like helping a co-worker on a difficult project without being asked, listening to someone's story about the problems they are facing, or being patient with the service provider that we believe is not really listening to us. In other words, we make our choices every day to be obedient to our calling as Christians or live like the world.

The unfaithful steward sees Christ's delay and decides it's all too much work to stay ready. He begins to beat the other servants, thinking that he, not the Master, was really in charge so he could do with them as he pleased. He indulged in food and drink, "eat, drink, and be merry" could have been his motto. We see in the unfaithful steward an example of someone who may claim to be a Christian but only in words, not deeds. Especially hard will be the fate of those who know what is expected of them but choose to ignore it.

We should be able to discern the difference between these two stewards. The fruit of the Spirit should be evident in the life of the faithful steward. We should see his love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Perhaps his fruit is not fully developed but certainly it is a work in progress.

The unfaithful steward may hide their lack of fruit but often it comes out at a later time. There may be sexual immorality, hatred, jealousy, fits of anger, and selfish ambition present. This is not to be confused with a Christian who struggles from time to time with sin. The unfaithful steward would be someone who is dominated by this kind of sin. This person is still enslaved to sin, not to Christ (Romans 6:16-22).

"We make our choices every day to be obedient to our calling as Christians or live like the world."

 The Apostles Who Proudly Called Themselves Slaves

The disciples certainly thought of themselves as slaves to Christ. Paul refers to himself over and over in this way. The word translated servant, but literally meaning slave, is used in Philippians 1:1, Romans 1:1, and Titus 1:1. Peter also designates himself slave in 2 Peter 1:1 and John in Revelation 1:1.

As John MacArthur once wrote,

"Every one of them identifies himself as a slave of Christ, chosen, bought, owned, subjected, dependent, disciplined, rewarded, provided for, protected, and obedient."

Accepting Christ’s Lordship in a Self-Centered World

We call Jesus, Lord of Lords, Master, Redeemer and all of those titles are accurate. He has ultimate authority over all of us. He is the living Word made flesh. Yet, it is only through His Holy Spirit that we can say, "Jesus is Lord" (1 Corinthians 12:3). For us to accept our servitude to Christ and to humanity we must acknowledge His Lordship over our lives.

Jesus is not our Savior to give us our every whim and desire. He did not come so we could become successful and wealthy and He didn't come to improve our self esteem. What He did come for was to atone for our sin and also to show us what servanthood or slavery looked like. Do we have the same mind as He did? Are we willing to sacrifice our needs, desires, and wants daily to do His will? Laying down our lives and living with Him as Lord is impossible without the Holy Spirit guiding us and being our Helper.

From Slaves to Heirs: The Blessing of Faithful Obedience

But Jesus doesn't just stop at telling us we are slaves, He calls us friend (John 15:15), then we are called children of God (John 1:12-13) and a joint heir (Romans 8:17) and finally we become citizens of Heaven (Philippians 3:20-21). We are slaves to the love and mercy that our Father has shown us in the midst of our unworthiness.

But if this is true, that we have become not just slaves but friends, His very brothers and sisters with an equal inheritance of all that He possesses, and citizens of an eternal kingdom then why still talk about being a slave? Because this brings us back to the knowledge that we must serve the Lord with humility.

This reminds us that we were bought, not earned. We serve at His pleasure, not ours. Without this, we become entitled Christians who treat God like a cosmic vending machine. Yet, as heirs we are hopeful. We don't just serve out of obligation, but we serve knowing an eternal future with our Father is waiting for us. The heritage of the servant's of the Lord is Heaven.

In Luke 17:5-10 Jesus explains the connection between faith and duty. He describes how a slave, after a hard day's work, is still expected to come in and prepare food and serve the Master. The Master doesn't thank the slave for doing what was expected of him. The slave is merely being obedient to His Lord. Praise God we have changed from sin's slave to Christ's servant.

And so, Jesus tells us, after we have done all we have been commanded, we should still say, "We are unprofitable servants. We have done what was our duty to do" (Luke 17:10). We don't approach our Master with prideful hearts declaring that He owes us something. No, it is we who owe Him everything. But He looks at us with a loving heart. His reply to our faithfulness fills me with joy.

At some point, when our lives end, we will have hope to hear these words from Christ, "Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord." And once again, the word translated servant here, is really the word slave.

Dear Father,

We pray that Your Holy Spirit will be with us daily.

We ask that He would help us be faithful servants; even slaves, for You.

We pray that when we enter Your kingdom we would hear those most precious words, 'Well done, good and faithful servant."

In Your Son's holy and blessed Name we pray,

Amen

References:

• Geoffrey W. Bromiley — Theological Dictionary of the New Testament (abridged, ed. by Gerhard Kittel & Gerhard Friedrich), Eerdmans

• Murray J. Harris — Slave of Christ: A New Testament Metaphor for Total Devotion to Christ (IVP Academic, 2001)

• BDAG Greek Lexicon — Bauer, Danker, Arndt, Gingrich, A Greek–English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature