Easy Living (continued)
Scripture Reading For Today: Romans 6:1-15
I’ll like to start today’s blog by recalling a statement that I made in yesterday’s devotional, quoted below:
“Paul was responding to the love of Christ for him, by living his life for the One that gave His life for him.
That’s why he and some other apostles were able to boldy and unashamedly refer to themselves as Bondservants of Jesus“.
Let’s look closer at the meaning of that highlighted word “Bondservant”:
A bondservant is a slave. In some Bibles, the word bondservant in the New Testament is the translation of the Greek word doulos, which means “one who is subservient to, and entirely at the disposal of, his master”.
Throughout the New Testament, the word bondservant, slave, or servant is applied figuratively to someone who is absolutely devoted to Jesus.
Paul, Timothy, James, Peter, and Jude all describe themselves as “bondservants of Christ” (Romans 1:1; Philippians 1:1; James 1:1; 2 Peter 1:1; Jude 1:1).
The Old Testament concept of the word refers to the practice where a slave who was entitled to freedom from his servitude, willingly chooses to
give up his right to freedom, and chooses instead to voluntarily commit himself to a lifetime of service to his master. (Deuteronomy 15:12-17)
give up his right to freedom, and chooses instead to voluntarily commit himself to a lifetime of service to his master. (Deuteronomy 15:12-17)
It is a person that is “devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interests.” In its simplest sense, being a bondservant
is simply following your master whilst completely disregarding your own will, emotions, or desires.”
is simply following your master whilst completely disregarding your own will, emotions, or desires.”
Being a Bondservant of Christ is a voluntary act that is borne out of our love for Him. It is an expression of a life that is fully and unequivocally
committed to Him by choice; it is not an enslavement of an unwilling subject that is held in the fear of bondage by a demanding overlord.
committed to Him by choice; it is not an enslavement of an unwilling subject that is held in the fear of bondage by a demanding overlord.
When the apostles referred to themselves as “Bondservants of Jesus”, it was simply to signify that, their service and commitment to the Lord
was total and not one they could ever consider leaving.
was total and not one they could ever consider leaving.
Just as a bondservant was more than an employee who could leave for another job, these Christians were servants who could never leave their master
for another; it was a declaration of a lifetime commitment.
for another; it was a declaration of a lifetime commitment.
As Oswald Chambers writes in My Utmost for His Highest, it is “The breaking and collapse of my independence brought about by my own hands, and the
surrendering of my life to the supremacy of the Lord Jesus.”
surrendering of my life to the supremacy of the Lord Jesus.”
As the chorus of the lyrics of the song Easy Living says:
“Living for you, is easy living.
It’s easy to live when you’re in love.
And, I’m so in love,
There’s nothing in life, but you.”
Living for Jesus is easy Living only when you are in love with Him; when you are so in love, that there’s nothing in life that means more to you than Him.
The consequence of that kind of living, is living as a “fool for Christ”; being willing to give up the best years of your life to serve Him
and being happy to do everything that you can to please Him. All these given in love, without any regrets!
and being happy to do everything that you can to please Him. All these given in love, without any regrets!
It is demonstrated by voluntarily offering up your rights and surrendering your will in exchange for His will; living just to please Him
and to bring honour to His Name.
and to bring honour to His Name.
Reflection:
Is that the story of your life? Have you reached that point in your life in your walk with Christ?
Can you in all honesty as Paul, Timothy, James, Peter, and Jude all said concerning themselves, that you are indeed a Bondservant of Jesus Christ?
Do you love Him enough that you have become a slave of righteousness?
Is your life FULLY committed to Him?
How Deep is Your Love?
May the Lord perfect His good counsel concerning you in Jesus’ Name.
Pastor Wale Ola
LIFE APPLICATION
1. What is God saying to me in today’s message?
2. What was ministered to me in the bible verses that I read today?
3. What are the changes or adjustments I need to make in my life to align with the word of God?
4. What is my commitment to the word for today?
5. What practical steps can I take to benefit from the word I have read today?
PRAYER FOCUS
Lord, I bring myself to you as an offering – Everything I have, everything that I am, all that I will ever be.
Come and reign over me and use me for your glory.
I yield myself completely in service to you. I pray that you will enable me to serve you better today than I have ever done, and even better everyday
of my life than the previous days.
of my life than the previous days.
Song for Today: In Christ Alone – Into The Light