1 Thess. 1:9; Jer. 10:1-10, The Enslaved Church

Now let us consider the phrase, to serve the living the true God.  The word for serve is the Greek douleo referring to the bond-slave, the most severe term for slaves.  The two main terms are seen in Col. 4:7 where Paul, referring to Tychicus, says he is a faithful minister (Greek diakonos; emphasizing the way we serve each other) and fellow servant (doulos; emphasizing our complete submission) in the Lord.  


This submission, this lack of rights, may seem out of line to some.  But in Scripture there are some pretty famous slaves: Moses (Rev. 25:3), Mary (Lk. 1:38,48), Paul (Rom. 1:1) and above all, Jesus who took on the form of a bond-servant (Phil. 2:7).  


As Americans we relish in our freedom.  Slavery is a hideous chapter out of our past so we want to say, like the Jews did, we are no one’s slaves (Jn. 8:33).  As Christians we might remember that we are now sons of God (Jn. 15:15; Gal. 4:1,7).  If you are a son then you are not the slave.  


But we are followers of Christ (how can we forget that).  Christ, who is the Son of God, became the bond-slave (Phil. 2:7).  He was free; yet He took on enslavement.  Peter said we are free, yet not using liberty as a cloak for vice, but as bondservants of God (1 Pt. 2:16).  Paul said we have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh but through love serve (douleuo) one another (Gal. 5:13).  

Here, in outline form, are passages that describe our slavery.

·        Matt. 8:9: we are to be obedient.

·        Luke 12:35-40: we are to always be ready to do the Master’s bidding.

·        Matt. 25:14-30: we are accountable to the Master and must be found faithful.

·        Luke 17:7-10: we are to be selfless in our service.

·        Matt. 10:24-25; Jn. 13:16: we are to serve in humility.

·        Rom. 12:11: we are to serve with zeal.

·        Matt. 6:24: we are to serve with singleness of mind.

There are some limitations that we need to keep in mind. 

·        We are not the slaves of men or even ourselves (1 Cor. 723; Gal. 1:10; Rom. 16:18) but we are slaves of God (1 Thess. 1:9; Rev. 22:3,6).

·        We are not to be slaves of impurity (Rom. 6:6,19; Titus 3:7) but of righteousness (Rom. 6:18,19,22).

·        We are not to be enslaved to fear (Rom. 8:15; Heb. 2:15).

·        We are not enslaved to the master of “law” (Gal. 5:1; Rom. 7:6) but to the new way of the Spirit (Rom. 7:6).

In the Jeremiah passage (10:1-10) we see how being bond-slaves of God is a good thing because of Who He is, especially in contrast to idols.  He is the Creator.  He can do good.  He will judge.  And He is the true and living God, the everlasting King.  How blessed to be His servants.  There is none like You, O LORD.