Webster’s Online Dictionary defines a slave as the following:
1 : a person held in servitude as the chattel of another 2 : one that is completely subservient to a dominating influence 3 : a device (as the printer of a computer) that is directly responsive to another.
Noah Webster’s 1828 Dictionary of American English gives the following definition for a slave, n.
1. A person who is wholly subject to the will of another; one who has no will of his own, but whose person and services are wholly under the control of another. In the early state of the world, and to this day among some barbarous nations, prisoners of war are considered and treated as slaves. The slaves of modern times are more generally purchased, like horses and oxen.
2. One who has lost the poser of resistance; or one who surrenders himself to any power whatever; as a slave to passion, to lust, to ambition.
3. A mean person; one in the lowest state of life.
4. A drudge; one who labors like a slave.
The word slave has a very negative connotation but Biblically that is what I am. I am afraid that I have many times wanted God to do things for me and that I have approached the Word of God from my American point of view rather than the point of view that the Bible gives. Please take note of the following truths that the Bible says about us as His disciples and then note the bold print in the definitions. Then you decide, am I a slave. No matter how demeaning it may seem I need to change my attitude towards God and the Bible and come to Him not seeking what He can do for me or what I gain from Him but realizing that I am His.
1. I am not my own I have been bought with a price. I Corinthians 6:19-20. Since I am not my own I am to glorify my master.
2. I have a Master and Lord. Romans 14:4, John 13:16
3. I have yielded myself to obey Him. Romans 6:16-17
4. The word servant in our Bible refers to a slave–and I am instructed how to act as His servant–not my will but His. II Timothy 2:24
Yes, I can hear you now –but we are called friends, and we are given privileges–and I believe that is true but I am afraid that we have taken advantage of His grace (maybe–I know that I have) and think of what we can get and little of how we are to obey Him. He is to give purpose and peace to my life and meet my needs, no!
Today I want to acknowledge Him for who He is–My Lord and my Master. I am here to serve at His pleasure.
What do you think! Does that disturb your sensibilities? Is this politically incorrect?
I want to approach Him with a different attitude. Instead of demanding and expecting for my benefit I want to live for His benefit. If that means discomfort for me then so be it–I am His and I deserve whatever He decides because without Him I would only be on the way to Hell.
God bless you! I don’t know if you will have a good day after this but I hope you will! I need to stop complaining. Slaves have no right to complain–they have no rights. I need to serve to please Him rather than be pleased!
Whoa!
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