Comments on: Slaves of Christ http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/09/19/slaves-of-christ/ A Ministry of Shepherds' Fellowship Sun, 01 Mar 2009 19:54:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Bob Isakson http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/09/19/slaves-of-christ/comment-page-1/#comment-61839 Bob Isakson Fri, 28 Sep 2007 22:07:07 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/09/19/slaves-of-christ/#comment-61839 To say a paradox defies logic is really a very incorrect statement. To say the Bible isn't logical is also incorrect. A paradox is true but from our vantage point is "seems" contradictory. Sometimes, the paradox is not resolvable this side of heaven but it is resolvable. When you approach an issue with presuppositions that may be incorrect you will get an incorrect answer. As far as the Bible is concerned, some understanding is possible through logical means. You must approach it assuming you already know what it means though. This understanding (gnosis)is very limited. Scripture says, "spiritual things are spiritually appraised." In other words, God must provide the full understanding (epignosis). Lastly, being a doulos or slave does not preclude our sonship. It is in fact a intergal part of a believer's relationship with Christ and another aspect of it. Paul, who was a Roman citizen was not a slave but indicates in Philippians that he was a slave to Christ. How can this be? Because, he willfully and whole heartly assumes this role out of love for Christ. It was one more way to display who he belonged to. Christ is his Lord and Master but none of this conflicts with his sonship. To say a paradox defies logic is really a very incorrect statement. To say the Bible isn’t logical is also incorrect. A paradox is true but from our vantage point is “seems” contradictory. Sometimes, the paradox is not resolvable this side of heaven but it is resolvable. When you approach an issue with presuppositions that may be incorrect you will get an incorrect answer.

As far as the Bible is concerned, some understanding is possible through logical means. You must approach it assuming you already know what it means though. This understanding (gnosis)is very limited. Scripture says, “spiritual things are spiritually appraised.” In other words, God must provide the full understanding (epignosis).

Lastly, being a doulos or slave does not preclude our sonship. It is in fact a intergal part of a believer’s relationship with Christ and another aspect of it. Paul, who was a Roman citizen was not a slave but indicates in Philippians that he was a slave to Christ. How can this be? Because, he willfully and whole heartly assumes this role out of love for Christ. It was one more way to display who he belonged to. Christ is his Lord and Master but none of this conflicts with his sonship.

]]> By: Daniel Chaney http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/09/19/slaves-of-christ/comment-page-1/#comment-59708 Daniel Chaney Thu, 20 Sep 2007 11:51:33 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/09/19/slaves-of-christ/#comment-59708 Eva, In this son/slave relationship, we are sons of God and joint heirs with Christ because of the salvation that we have making us part of a heavenly family. Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together. But we are slaves in that we are now servants/slaves to righteousness. Rom 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? We are always slaves to some master wether that master is Satan or God. This paradox can only be possible because of God's infinite love for us in giving us this inheritance. Eva,

In this son/slave relationship, we are sons of God and joint heirs with Christ because of the salvation that we have making us part of a heavenly family.

Rom 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.
Rom 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.
Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with [him], that we may be also glorified together.

But we are slaves in that we are now servants/slaves to righteousness.

Rom 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

We are always slaves to some master wether that master is Satan or God. This paradox can only be possible because of God’s infinite love for us in giving us this inheritance.

]]> By: eva http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/09/19/slaves-of-christ/comment-page-1/#comment-59695 eva Thu, 20 Sep 2007 09:17:51 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/09/19/slaves-of-christ/#comment-59695 The whole bible is full of paradoxes, die to live; slave yet son...i know what you're getting at but it doesn't make sense if you analyse the son slave concept too much. But then the bible doesn't make logical sense, because if it did then we wouldn't need the spirit to understand it. The whole bible is full of paradoxes, die to live; slave yet son…i know what you’re getting at but it doesn’t make sense if you analyse the son slave concept too much. But then the bible doesn’t make logical sense, because if it did then we wouldn’t need the spirit to understand it.

]]> By: Pat http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/09/19/slaves-of-christ/comment-page-1/#comment-59498 Pat Wed, 19 Sep 2007 22:39:12 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/09/19/slaves-of-christ/#comment-59498 Phil I suggest a little book called Night of Weeping by Horatius Bonar for a much deeper and truer expression of God's chastening of His children while your at it brush up on the basics with Follow the Lamb - same author, blessings to you. Phil I suggest a little book called Night of Weeping by Horatius Bonar for a much deeper and truer expression of God’s chastening of His children while your at it brush up on the basics with Follow the Lamb – same author, blessings to you.

]]> By: tia http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/09/19/slaves-of-christ/comment-page-1/#comment-59491 tia Wed, 19 Sep 2007 22:29:16 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/09/19/slaves-of-christ/#comment-59491 "the status the slave had was related to who his master was" :] “the status the slave had was related to who his master was”

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]]> By: Phil Bradshaw http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/09/19/slaves-of-christ/comment-page-1/#comment-59468 Phil Bradshaw Wed, 19 Sep 2007 21:18:54 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/09/19/slaves-of-christ/#comment-59468 Slaves got beaten didn't they? If I am a slave I should be getting a good old beating from time to time, right? What might be some forms of beatings that the Lord gives His slaves? Scripture says God chastises those He loves. How are we chastised exactly? I think I know but can not actually put it in words. Best I can make of it is that the Holy Spirit prompts me that what I did was wrong and the guilt of it is a whipping in itself until I repent. Any thoughts to the same here? Slaves got beaten didn’t they? If I am a slave I should be getting a good old beating from time to time, right? What might be some forms of beatings that the Lord gives His slaves? Scripture says God chastises those He loves. How are we chastised exactly? I think I know but can not actually put it in words. Best I can make of it is that the Holy Spirit prompts me that what I did was wrong and the guilt of it is a whipping in itself until I repent. Any thoughts to the same here?

]]> By: Eric http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/09/19/slaves-of-christ/comment-page-1/#comment-59464 Eric Wed, 19 Sep 2007 20:21:01 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/09/19/slaves-of-christ/#comment-59464 Eva, Slave yet a Son, is a paradox, as they do not contradict each other. We are son's in that we are Loved, in a sense we are joyfull slaves to Him for His Glory and our Salvation. Eva,

Slave yet a Son, is a paradox, as they do not contradict each other. We are son’s in that we are Loved, in a sense we are joyfull slaves to Him for His Glory and our Salvation.

]]> By: Ray B. http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/09/19/slaves-of-christ/comment-page-1/#comment-59461 Ray B. Wed, 19 Sep 2007 19:57:13 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/09/19/slaves-of-christ/#comment-59461 Those who live by obedient faith have no problem with being slaves to Jesus Christ. It is only in such servitude that anyone will find true freedom. Those who live by obedient faith have no problem with being slaves to Jesus Christ. It is only in such servitude that anyone will find true freedom.

]]> By: Steve Lamm http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/09/19/slaves-of-christ/comment-page-1/#comment-59459 Steve Lamm Wed, 19 Sep 2007 19:38:19 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/09/19/slaves-of-christ/#comment-59459 Back to the topic of this post: I encourage everyone to go and read the entire transcript of this message linked in the intro to this post. That message was a real eye-opener because John points out how the modern Church has weakened the truth that believers are slaves of Christ even diluting the translation of the Greek term "doulos" to servant, when it should be properly translated as "slave." Of course, the idea of servanthood is more palatable to modern culture. John also demonstrates that because we are slaves to Christ, bought with His precious blood, it is a given that as slaves of Christ, we must acknowledge His Lordship! Good reading! Steve Lamm Back to the topic of this post:

I encourage everyone to go and read the entire transcript of this message linked in the intro to this post. That message was a real eye-opener because John points out how the modern Church has weakened the truth that believers are slaves of Christ even diluting the translation of the Greek term “doulos” to servant, when it should be properly translated as “slave.” Of course, the idea of servanthood is more palatable to modern culture.

John also demonstrates that because we are slaves to Christ, bought with His precious blood, it is a given that as slaves of Christ, we must acknowledge His Lordship!

Good reading!

Steve Lamm

]]> By: Ray B. http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/09/19/slaves-of-christ/comment-page-1/#comment-59455 Ray B. Wed, 19 Sep 2007 19:07:51 +0000 http://www.sfpulpit.com/2007/09/19/slaves-of-christ/#comment-59455 The New Testament teaching about election is corporate. Those who have chosen to believe through the word of God are the chosen , the elect. The New Testament teaching about election is corporate. Those who have chosen to believe through the word of God are the chosen , the elect.

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