Slavery

Slavery.  

The word speaks volumes to us as post-Civil War Americans.  Even more to those descendants of slaves.  And more still to those for whom personal slavery is still a hard, very cold reality.  Our hearts ought to cry out to God on behalf of the 21st century's enslaved populations. 

And yet, we are called to this.  We are called to slavery, not to the world, but to the Lord.  Mary called herself the bondservant of the Lord, as did Paul.  Romans speaks of slavery to righteousness as compared to slavery to sin and passion and temptation.  The difference between slavery and bondservanthood is choice.  We make ourselves bondservants of Christ by His grace.  We choose service to honor Him.  

 

And what does He call us to?  You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength, and your neighbor as yourself.  (Luke 10:27)

And:  You call me Teacher and Lord, and you are right, for so I am. If I then, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another's feet. For I have given you an example, that you also should do just as I have done to you. Truly, truly, I say to you, a servant is not greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them. (John 13)