When I was young, I went to a church that had a bishop, and everyone in the audience had to stand when he entered the room. Now I remember that and think about how Jesus went down on his knees to wash his disciples’ feet.
Let’s look at one of Peter’s letters to the church. He was writing to believers scattered throughout Turkey who were probably under persecution and opposition from the Roman Empire who wanted them to kneel and worship Caesar. “Simeon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained a faith of equal standing with ours by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ: May grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord” (2 Peter 1:1-2, ESV).
There were two words in the New Testament for ‘servant.’ One was a person who had some basic rights but was under the authority of the person who owned them. The other word was ‘bondslave,’ someone who only looked to their master for what to do.
Which word do you think Peter used? That’s right, the bondslave. He was saying, “I’m sold out. I’m a bondslave of Jesus. I said goodbye to my will and plans a long time ago.” He was reminding people that he was sent out with authority from Christ but that he was also the Lord’s slave. He’s writing to people who, because of God’s justice and love, have obtained the same precious faith that Peter had. That faith means that our sins are not only forgiven but also wiped completely off the record in heaven. This faith in Christ pardons us of our rebellion and wrongdoings and makes us new creations. Christianity isn’t about earning anything.
Ministers who walk around like they’re somebody special, so many times it’s with such fake grandeur. Whatever happened to being Christ’s bondslave? People these days think, “Well, I don’t want to be anyone’s slave! I don’t want to have to obey someone else like that.” Trust me, the happiest life you can imagine is to be owned and controlled by our Lord and Savior.
Jim Cymbala began the Brooklyn Tabernacle with less than twenty members in a small, rundown building in a difficult part of the city. A native of Brooklyn, he is a longtime friend of both David and Gary Wilkerson.