TEXT: Philippians 1:1-2 (CSB) – “Paul and Timothy, servants of Christ Jesus: To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Joy in being a slave? That’s a strange concept – based on history. Yet, Paul is going to challenge us to consider who we are in Christ. We will see two different perspectives today and tomorrow.
We begin with Paul’s typical signature. Written on scrolls- it allowed those who read it to see first who sent it. It was also the place that one could give any greeting that they wanted to give.
Paul starts by identifying himself and Timothy as slaves. We find here the Greek word Doulos which translates as Bondservant or Bondslave. A Bondslave was more than an ordinary slave. In that day, people became slaves in one of several ways:
· They were poor and unable to pay their debt.
· They were a thief and unable to pay the restitution price.
· Or, they were captured and sold as a slave.
They could be freed from their slavery in one of three ways:
1. Redeemed or bought back – their debt was paid.
2. Served time of servitude – like a jail sentence.
3. Or, the Year of Jubilee – the 50th year Celebration of the Old Testament terms.
However, sometimes, a slave would choose to stay with their Master. They loved their Master, they were not wanting to go away from the Master, so we find in Exodus 21:5,6 the plain instruction on becoming a Bondslave. The slave was brought a public door post and the Master would bore through their ear with an awl and “Then he will be his servant for life.” (Ex. 21:6) This slave would then become a Doulos – a bondservant – a permanent slave.
That’s what Paul said that he was. He had freely chosen to be Christ’s slave for life.
That’s what we are to be. Slaves for Jesus.
A slave does not manage his own life – make his own plans, choose his own tasks, etc. He does whatever his Master tells him to do. That is our relationship with Christ. We acknowledge that Jesus has power over us.
Today, consider, do we listen to our Master’s voice, seek His desires, and obey what He tells us? Are we truly Bondslaves to Christ as the great Apostle Paul was – or do we still hold control over our lives?
To have true Joy in the Midst of Adverse Circumstances we will learn that we need to surrender and become a true Bondslave for Christ.
Tomorrow, Paul gives us a different perspective with what he says next.
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