Bond Servant

“And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness…” “But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of Elohim, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life” (Romans 6:18; 22).

From these two verses one might raise the question: If we have been set free, how is it that we become servants or slaves?  Actually the definition of one who has been set free by their master or redeemed by another, but then decides to freely give himself back to his master or his redeemer is a “bond servant”.  In the following scriptures we see this term used by those who in their service were advancing the Kingdom of Elohim. 

Here is how some the greatest prophets and apostles and foundational builders of Elohim’s Kingdom thought of themselves and of their callings: “Paul and Timothy, bond servants of Yeshua the Messiah” (Philippians 1:1);“James, a bond servant of Elohim and of the Lord Yeshua the Messiah” (James 1:1); “Simon Peter, a bond servant and apostle of Yeshua the Messiah (2 Peter 1:1).  Not to mention our forefathers, along with Moses, Joshua, Isaiah, Ezekiel etcetera, who all were servants of Elohim. 

Even our Messiah Yeshua became a bond servant of Elohim in order to qualify to be our Redeemer and Lord. Therefore “Let this mind be in you which was also in Messiah Yeshua… who made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bond servant, and coming in the likeness of men.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:5, 7-8).   If we have the mind of Messiah then our thinking should be the same, as well as our behavior.   Just because we have been set free from sin and are seated with Him in Heavenly places does not free us from being bond servants to righteousness AND to our King. 

If the following is an example of being a bondservant of an earthly master, how much more so does it illustrate our required service to our spiritual Master and King?  “Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Messiah;  not with eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Messiah, doing the will of Elohim from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to Yeshua the Lord, and not to men,  knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether a slave or free” (Ephesians 6:5-8).  

Every day, regardless where we are, at home with family, at work with co-workers, colleagues or employees, or anywhere for that matter, we should be living out our calling as ‘bondservants’ of Yeshua our King.   Therefore, “Let as many bond servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of Elohim and His instructions [Torah] may not be blasphemed” (1 Timothy 6:1).  “For we do not preach ourselves, (nor live for ourselves) but Messiah Yeshua the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Yeshua’s sake” (2 Corinthians 4:5).