Slave vs. Servant

Recently, I have been in a women's Bible study and we have been going through the book, Surrender, by Nancy DeMoss. The book pointed out something very incredible, but almost alarming...throughout the Bible, we are directed to be servants of Christ. What pictures come into your mind when you consider the work, servant?? I guess I picture a person in a black outfit that lives behind the scenes....she serves her employer dutifully, is loyal, and gets her work done well. After hours, she lives her own life...


Do you realize that the word "servant" should actually be "slave" in all cases?** I don't think I need to describe the word picture that enters your mind when I use the word "slave."


Upon pondering this difference, I realized that the biggest difference between slave and servant is that a slave is owned---she has no property, no rights, no freedoms that are hers alone. She is owned by her master and therefore must follow all rules of her master. A servant is hired and is still her own person...free to run her life as she will. She only has to follow the rules while she is working.


What about us? Luke 17:10 says, So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do." Note that "servants" is actually "slave" in the Greek, as was intended.


Are you a slave of Christ? Is all of your property, your rights, your freedoms given over to Him? If not, I urge you to consider what Christ has asked of you. Romans 6:16 says, "Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?"


I have asked myself this question, and realize that the areas that we are to give over to Christ are extensive: our time, money, priorities, possessions, rights, spouse, children, relationships, employment, future, past, etc. I believe that we surrender ourself at the point of salvation, when we repent and trust Christ for His salvation (Eph. 2:8-9). However, we need to continually surrender, day by day, to the demands of Christ. After all, it is no longer we who live, but Christ who lives in us (Galations 2:20).


Please ask yourself, are you a slave to Christ?


**For further information on this translation error/purposeful word switch, see John MacArthur's book, Slave