Comments on: It’s All in the Perspective

By: Bryan Riley

Bryan Riley — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 23:36:29 +0000

Hebrews 11:13-16 describes this well, too.

By: Clarke

Clarke — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 14:01:09 +0000

Brent,
Great post, thank you for the reminder, it does well to my soul to hear God’s word applied to todays “various kinds ot trials”.

By: Brent

Brent — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 13:48:33 +0000

Teresa;

I think you raise a couple of issues. The Bible is opposed to slavery as Americans understand it, with connotations of the inferiority of some people under others. However, your right in your assessment of a “shift in perspective” towards a more autonomous, “free-will” approach of commitment rather than surrender. As I read your comments, the first thing that came to mind was Romans 6, in which Paul specifically says that:

“you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.”

We are never “free” in the sense that most Americans understand the term. Believers are transferred from one slavery to another, from one kingdom to another (Colossians 1:9-13) and from one master to another. Jesus himself says that no one can serve “two masters,” implying that we are under one master or another (Mattew 6:24).

By: Teresa W

Teresa W — Tue, 25 Jul 2006 13:02:44 +0000

Brent- I have a question that relates to what I am currently reading and (in my view) to your post. What I am reading has to do with surrendering to God, fully & completely. A Romanian pastor is quoted in the book as he talks about American christians. Josef Tson states that the evolution of American evangelicalism shifted its thinking a few times. One of those shifts was in Bible translations to shift from “slave- doulos” to “servant-diakonos”. A sort of nobody wants to be a slave but we can see ourselves as servants position. Also in preaching to shift from using the word “surrender” to Christ and instead to use the word “commit” to Christ. Both of these to me (servant & commit) seem to imply choice on my part and that I have some work or effort to impart by my “commited service.” This really struck home as in previous church homes I have had I so clearly remember hearing much of Christ as Lord of Lords but nothing of Christ as Master, much of renew your commitment to Him, but nothing of surrendering to Him, much of being His servant, nothing of being His slave/possession. A matter of perspective, right?? (see- it does sorta tie in to your post) So I did a mini word study (more of a look-up) on the word slave and in Easton’s dictionary the definition states: “The Hebrew and Greek words for slave are usually rendered simply �servant,� �bondman,� or �bondservant.� The gospel in its spirit and genius is hostile to slavery in every form, which under its influence is gradually disappearing from among men.” Am I off track to disagree with Easton’s that the gospel is NOT hostile to slavery? God does indeed call us to be His slaves? In pride I wouldn’t want to be a slave but being a servant I could live with, in pride I could not endure under persecutions & sufferings and would want/expect things to change. But as His slave doesn’t the perspective change? I bring nothing, contribute nothing, and under sufferings I look to my Master for my needs to be met and to my Master to bring me through the hard times?
Forgive me if I show ignorance, correct my thinking as God directs.