Slaves of God
As Christians we sometimes have a hard time understanding that we are slaves of God. When we think of slavery our minds are filled with what we know: the practice of chattel slavery in America. Slavery was one of the darkest hours in our history. The practice of treating humans as property existing to serve the whim of their masters was horrific and inexcusable. Families were frequently ripped apart. Beatings, killings, and sexual exploitation was common. There was absolutely no reasonable defense for slavery and yet the practice continued for generations.
But we are slaves of God in a different sense. We are not considered property, we are considered children. We are not objects of our master’s capricious whim, we are servants of the wise plans of our loving God. In Romans 6 Paul says we were once slaves of sin but are now slaves of God. As slaves of sin there was nothing but death. As slaves of God we receive sanctification and eternal life.
In the context of a slave of God a Christian is to live not for his own desire and interest but for the desires and interests of God. We are not put on this earth to pursue our delights but to pursue God’s delights. When we stand before God we will not be asked how faithful we were to our hobbies and interests, we will be asked how faithful we were in following the will of God and carrying out his commands.
Live as obedient servants of Christ. Live as slaves of God. Live not for your own pursuits but for his. He is your good and loving Father, God and creator of all the universe. This world is passing away, along with everything in it. Serve that which lasts, that which leads to eternal life. You are slaves of God, live for his will.