“Do you not know that when
you present yourselves to someone as slaves for obedience, you are
slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of
obedience resulting in righteousness? But thanks be to God that though
you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form
of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin,
you became slaves of righteousness” (Romans 6:16-18)
Who would want to be a slave? What kind of
person would enslave others? For most in the world, the very thought of
such a practice is offensive. Historically, in most instances, the slave
has no freedom because if they tried to leave, they would likely be caught
and harm would be done to them. And yet, what if we were slaves
and did not want to be set free? Considering the negative form of almost
all slavery, it’s hard to imagine, but if the relationship between
master and servant is based in love, we might not want anything else.
That’s what is being expressed in Exodus 21:5-6,
where it says, “If the servant plainly says, ‘I
love my master, my wife, and my children; I will not go out free.’ then
his master shall bring him to the judges. He shall also bring him to the
door, or to the doorpost, and his master shall pierce his ear with an
awl; and he shall serve him forever.” So much is made of
“freedom” that it seems unthinkable to refuse it when you get a chance
to go, but it can happen.
And that is strangely what is to be present in
an ideal marriage; beyond anything the world understands. You love that
person so much that you don’t want anyone else. Their needs, their wants
are more important than your own. You look for ways to please them, and
when such ways are found, you act upon them. You never want to leave and
would do anything for them. And it’s a two-way street, for that other
person feels the same way about you.
That’s what marriage is supposed to be like, and
when it is, a message is sent to everyone you meet that a deep abiding
love is possible for them also. There is so much selfishness in the
world today and it is reflected in the breakdown of marriage and the
family. Someone, usually both in today’s marriages, prefers getting what
they want to giving what is needed.
There was a cartoon in the “New Yorker” magazine, portraying a couple in their
living room reading the newspaper. The husband read a small headline to
his wife aloud which said, “Gays and Lesbians
Getting Married.” And then he added, “Haven’t
they suffered enough?”
That’s funny, but it is also a sad reflection of
the attitude of many in the world today that marriage is a place where
freedom is lost, instead of a place of freedom to find love. God
invented marriage and He approved of it from the very beginning, where
His Word endorses the relationship of Adam and Eve, calling them “man” and “wife” (Genesis
2:24-25). As it is said in Hebrews 13:4, “Marriage
is honorable among all, and the bed undefiled; but fornicators and
adulterers God will judge.” God loves marriage and it is given so
we will know His joy.
Jesus Christ did not have to come to this earth.
He did not have to die for our sins, but He did. Scripture says about
His powerful action on our behalf, “Let this mind
be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God,
did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, taking the form of a
servant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in
appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point
of death, even the death of the cross” (Philippians 2:5-8). He
gave up His own life for you and me.
The New Testament was mostly written in the
Greek language of 2000 years ago, which was the ordinary language of
people at the time, like our languages today. For the words often
translated as “servant” or “slave,” they mostly used two Greek words. Often they
used the word “doulos,” which is a “servant” and also “bondslave.”
Another word that is sometimes translated as “servant”
is unexpectedly the word “diakonos,” which
is also “deacon” or “minister.”
The words “doulos” and "diakonos” are surprisingly synonyms, for the leaders in
the church, like leaders in marriage, are expected by God to be
servants of all. Those who are called to lead in the church are to serve
the ones that God has entrusted to them.
The good husband in a marriage is not a doormat
or a milquetoast, He is to be a leader who is continually looking for
ways he might bless his wife. When Jesus washed the disciples’ feet at
the Last Supper, He took the form of a servant. As our Leader, He served
us. He went to the cross, literally giving up His life for us all.
Ministering to others is more than preaching, more than having the title
“pastor” or “minister” – it is giving our time, giving up our needs; it
is LISTENING to the person who is in need and doing EVERYTHING possible
for them. It’s more than what we think they might need; it’s looking to
God for His understanding, His power to help each one.
That’s the bottom line in marriage, in ministry
and in life. The more we discover God through Jesus Christ, the less we
will resist Him and the more we should expect to become like Him,
serving others in the power and love of God.
On Monday, the day after this sermon,
I am to have a procedure called an “angiogram,”
in which the doctors will enter my heart for the purpose of determining
whether or not I need open heart surgery. I am literally opening up my
heart to them and they will serve my very deepest physical need. They
mean well and no doubt will do well, but they are just men and women.
The cardiologist mentioned that one out of a thousand patients will die
during the angiogram procedure, but many are helped.
Jesus Christ is the Great Physician who knows
our need, deeper by far than our physical bodies. He comes into our
heart and He is more than a doctor, He is our Creator, the One who knows
that a more profound type of heart surgery is needed for us all. He heals
us of sin and offers us life. The “freedom” of this world is an
illusion. Alcohol and other drugs can give the appearance of freedom,
but ultimately they become a cruel master, leading us to “death.” Jesus does indeed ask you to become a “doulos,” a “diakonos,”
serving God and other people; but as in our Scripture for today, “obedience” to Him will lead to “righteousness,”
the kind of “righteousness” that will give the love of God, for
your marriage, your ministry, for your very life.
Present your “heart”
to Almighty God. Be obedient to Him. Let Him literally enter your “heart,” “resulting in
righteousness.” Be “freed from sin”
and know His joy (Romans 6:16).
Great Physician, I entrust my heart and my
life to You. I now take the risk of this “surgery” You will perform and
want to become a servant of righteousness, knowing Your love. Thank You
for giving me a new heart and new life. In Jesus Name. Amen.
