Wednesday, September 20
Slaves of Christ
Scripture: Philippians 1
Philippians 1:1 From Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the overseers and deacons.
Observation
There is so much in this chapter to ponder and apply, but I didn’t get past the first sentence. Paul describes himself and Timothy as “slaves of Christ Jesus.” Most of us wouldn’t consider this a noble appellation, especially my African American friends. But for Paul it was. There was no higher honor than to be the Lord’s servant (or slave).
A slave in Paul’s day belonged to his master (his life was not his own—1 Corinthians 6:19) and he was devoted to doing the will of his master (not my will but yours be done—Matthew 26:39).
Application
I am the Lord’s slave.
I belong to Jesus; my life is not my own. I live to do God’s will. Yes Lord to anything, anytime, anywhere.
That is the goal. I fall short more often than I hit the mark. I naturally live for myself more than for Him. I think more about what I want than what He wants. So this verse—and many others like it (eg, see yesterday’s reading)—are a needed regular corrective to remind me of who I am and whose I am.
Today, I hope to live with this joyful and honored awareness: I am the slave of Jesus.
Prayer: Lord, I love You and I’m proud to belong to You. Help me live joyfully today as Your slave. As I read yesterday, help me live “as a slave of Christ doing the will of God from the heart.”
More: Isaiah 39-40, Matthew 2