OCT 2

Exodus 21:1-6
Memorise 1 Corinthians 7:22-23
“Ye are bought with a price…”

When we think about slavery, it tends to have a negative connotation, and is often associated with ideas such as cruelty and wickedness. In Old Testament times however, provision was made by the law for slaves to be treated gently and mildly. The law stated that slaves would be free to go after 6 years of service. However, a slave, out of love for his master, could also choose to voluntarily remain in his master’s service forever.

It is in this context, therefore, that we consider what it means to be a slave to God. We must remember that God has purchased us with the precious blood of Christ. Christians are often referred to as servants, or literally, slaves, of God. To be a slave means that we give up all our liberties and freedoms, and do only what we are commanded by our Master to do. But this is by no means a sorrowful and miserable state, for “his commandments are not grievous” (1 John 5:3). Furthermore, the liberties that we gave up were the liberties to sin and to live in a state of ungodliness. Praise God that we have been delivered from such a state! Now as believers, we have a new liberty – that is the freedom to not sin, and to serve God!

Let us remember also that it is not a cruel and wicked Master that we serve, but a loving, kind and compassionate Master who loved us so much that He sent His only begotten Son to earth, to die on the cross for our sins. Hence, just as a slave in Israel who loved his master could volunteer to remain in his service forever, likewise we who have so much more reason to love our Master must surely be willing to be found in His service forever. Dear teen, the question is, are you glad to be a slave to God?

Thought: To be a slave to God is to be free from sin.
Prayer: Thank You, Lord, for purchasing me with the blood of Christ!