You were born to be free and break barriers! God knew you before you were born and destined for you to be bold and do great things in His name (Jeremiah 1:5). The moment you decided to make Jesus Christ your Lord and Savior, you were no longer a slave to the sins that kept you separated from Him. Salvation set you free and gave you your independence to live out your purpose and the freedom to experience what it really means to be a servant to your Savior. When you are a servant to your Savior, you are saved, sanctified and set free for His service. The shackles of sin have been severed and you are now free to be of service to your Savior. You broke through the bondage of sin that held you back and now you are free to take advantage of the privileges of being a servant and a son or daughter of God.
Onesimus was a runaway slave and the subject of the letter that Paul wrote to Philemon. In Paul’s letter to Philemon, he asked Philemon to receive Onesimus back and to receive him back under different conditions (Philemon 1:10-16). Paul wanted Philemon to receive Onesimus back and to receive him back as a beloved brother (Philemon 1:16). While Onesimus was estranged from his master, Philemon, he met Paul. Paul had the privilege to help Onesimus transition from a slave to a servant and a son of God. Paul politely asked Philemon to receive him back to continue to serve him but for him to treat him as a servant and a beloved brother. Paul acted as the mediator to bring the two back together again under different circumstances. He wanted Philemon to treat Onesimus as a beloved brother and as a part of God’s family.
Jesus is your mediator, like Paul was to Philemon and Onesimus, to help you be one with God. You are no longer a slave but you are a servant to your Savior and a part of His family. Although a slave and a servant seem similar, there is a difference. A slave is forced to do something and a servant is willing to do something. As God’s servant, you have the awesome privilege to be an advocate for Him and willingly serve Him. You can willingly tell others of His goodness. As your Savior’s servant, you have the ability to willingly do great things for others in His name. When you are your Savior’s servant, you are a son or daughter in His Kingdom and possess the keys to unlock every door of opportunity because of the simple fact that you are a part of His family.
Are you a slave or a servant and a son or daughter? Choose to be a servant and a son or daughter of God. Jesus said that a slave is not a permanent part of a family but a son is a part of the family forever (John 8:35). In a world riddled with some reasoning for equal rights for all, remember you are a servant to your Savior and the freedom you have in Him, our Lord nd Savior Jesus Christ. In Him, is true independence and freedom. If the Son sets you free, you are free indeed (John 8:36) and a servant to your Savior!
