Scripture to Read: Romans 1:1
As we begin our walk through Romans, we immediately know that God used Paul to pen the letter of Romans. As much as we appreciate the awesome ways God used Paul to write so much of the New Testament, we must always remember that this is God’s Holy Word, as penned by Paul. God has Paul describe himself as a bond-servant of Christ Jesus. Because the word “slave” or “bond-servant” in today’s culture carries incredibly negative overtones, we must understand the use of this term in biblical times. The term “bond-servant” (also written as “slave” in some translations) in the New Testament is a translation of the Greek word “doulos.” In the New Testament, a “bond-servant” could refer at times to someone who voluntarily served others. In most cases, however, the “bond-servant" referred to a person in a permanent role of service. We, like Paul, have chosen to be under Christ’s authority and to serve Him with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. As a “bond-servant” of our Lord, we serve Him by serving those around us. Jesus made it clear to His disciples that the “bond-servant” (the “doulos”) was the greatest, even though the world considered them the least (Matthew 20:26, Matthew 23:11, Mark 9:35, Mark 10:43–44, Luke 22:26). Being a bond-servant also means we willingly submit ourselves under the authority of the one(s) we serve because we know we’re serving Christ (Colossians 3:23–24). We must never forget that being a “bond-servant” of Christ is the greatest honor.
Challenge & Application
· Why is it important for us to understand that we are a bond-servant of Christ Jesus?
· How can you be a bond-servant of Christ this week with your family, friends, co-workers, or neighbors?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!