Gregg's Rest Stop (Bondslave to God)

Published: Mon, 03/05/12

Gregg's Rest Stop
March 5, 2012
  Journey in Christ

    Bondslave to God

 
 
Because there were many slaves in Rome during the Apostle Paul's time, he used slaves as a cultural analogy for communicating profound truths in his letters to Christians in Rome.  Paul did not use the word bondslave as a demeaning term, but a very endearing term.
 
THE FREEDOM OF A BONDSLAVE
A bondslave was a slave who was set free by a gracious master but who, by joyful desire and passionate choice, decided to remain a slave to his master.
 
Paul wrote in Romans 6:20, 22 that You were slaves to sin...but now having been set free from sin, you have become bondslaves to God.
 
The word sin in these verses refers to the power of sin, not to acts of sin.  People sin (verb) as a result of being slaves to the power of sin (noun).
 
At salvation, a person dies to the power of sin by being spiritually crucified with Christ.  Paul emphasizes this truth in Romans chapter 6 verses 2, 3, 6, 7, and 11.
 
Salvation in Christ is all about being freed from both the penalty of sin and the power of sin, and then willingly becoming a bondslave of Jesus Christ to live in victory over sin.  This does not mean we don't ever sin again, we indeed will.  It does mean that we no longer have to sin.
 
THE SECURITY OF A BONDSLAVE
Christians are truly free from the power of sin, but not from the presence of sin.  Although the power of sin still offers up demanding temptations, we are no longer obligated to respond to this power of sin like we used to.  My mentor John Best tells this beautiful story:
 
A slave is bought by a new master (analogous to God).  However, the old master (analogous to the power of sin) is still nearby, and he continues to shout cruel and demanding orders to his former slave. 
 
The slave is perplexed, so he asks his new master, "I thought you bought me?"  Listen closely to the new master's reply:
 
"That's right, I did indeed redeem you.  And you're under no obligation whatsoever to listen to your old master.  However, you must know that he is going to follow you around for the rest of your life.  All you have to do is to tell him to take up any of his desires with me."
 
The new master continues to affirm his slave, "Your old master will try to steal you away from me, but please know that he has no power over me!  I've never lost a single slave in all my life!  Fear not my child, the battle is not yours, it's all mine."

CLOSING
Rejoicing with you in our freedom and security in Christ!
 
    
  
    PS

Please pray as I prepare to teach Romans chapters 5-8
with my partners at Journey in Christ.
 
March 29 ( 6 to 9 pm)
March 30 (6 to 9 pm)
March 31 (9 am to 4 pm)
 
I would love for you to attend!
 
Preparing for this is one of the most humbling, exciting,
and transforming times of my entire life.
 
The outline the Lord has given me to teach by:
 
       ROMANS 5    THE FOUNDATION OF THE GOSPEL
                            Justification by faith
 
       ROMANS 6    THE HEART OF THE GOSPEL
                            The message of the cross
 
       ROMANS 7    THE DEPTH OF THE GOSPEL
                            The sin exposed 
                            Victory through surrender
 
       ROMANS 8    THE HEIGHT OF THE GOSPEL
                            The Savior exalted
                            Victory through suffering 
 

About 
Gregg Gibbons
Pastoral Director
 
Discipleship through
Counseling
Teaching
Training
 
 
 

 
 
 
Partnership 
I believe with all my heart that ministry is through relationships.
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you for your partnership in the gospel (Philippians 1:3, 5).
 
Links to my recent ministry newsletters that describe my heart for partnerships:
 
 

YouTube link below of my ministry commissioning service that included testimonies from several partners, including Bobby Richardson, former 2nd baseman for the NY Yankees.
 
 
Please contact me to learn more about partnering with me.  I'd love to hear from you!
 

 
 
 
 
Ministry News 
Journey in Christ 8-month Advanced Discipleship Training starts May 5.  Click link below for more details!
 
 
Gregg will be teaching Romans 5-8 verse-by-verse March 29-31.  This is the most transforming message of Gregg's life!  Click link below for more details!
 
 
Gregg teaches freedom in Christ at Haven of Rest mission in Anderson, SC Mondays 6:00-6:45 pm.  You are welcome to attend with Gregg!
 
Gregg mentoring men and couples in an office provided by Holly Ridge Baptist Church in Simpsonville, SC.
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
Archives 
Link for Rest Stops
since August 2010:
 
 
 

 

Contact Info 
 
JOURNEY IN CHRIST, INC.
926 N.E. Main Street
Suite F-155
Simpsonville, SC  29681
 
(864) 483-3201 (Gregg cell)
 

 


  
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