Life Of A Bondservant

A bondservant of Jesus Christ, what exactly does that mean?

I have run across this description many times in scripture. Several of the apostles called themselves bondservants. I have even heard other Christians talk about or describe themselves as a bondservant. So I decided to embark on a quest to dig deeper and find some answers.

First I looked up the word itself in Webster’s dictionary, here's the description:

Bondservant: a person bound to service without pay, long-term, a slave.
So what does a slave do? --- Anything they are asked to do, at anytime, day or night. They are at your service to do your work at anytime, anyway you want it done.

What does scripture have to say?

In Romans 1:1 Paul calls himself a bond servant. James, Jesus brother calls himself one in James 1:1. Then there is Simon Peter in 2 Peter 1:1 and Jude in Jude 1. Paul even calls Timothy one in Philippians 1:1. I would say from this, that the Disciples of Christ considered it important to be a bondservant of Jesus Christ.

If it is important for us to be a bondservant, what does it mean?

Ephesians 6:5 says a bondservant is - obedient to his master, sincere in heart, not with eye-service as men-pleasers, but doing the will of God from the heart.

Colossians 3:22 says a bondservant obeys in sincerity of heart, fearing God.

Titus 2:9 says bondservants are - obedient to their masters, well pleasing in all things, not answering back, not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our savior in all things.

Paul used the word bondservant about himself to describe a servant who willingly commits himself to serve a master he loves and respects.

So are you a bondservant? Obedient, sincere in heart, God fearing, doing the will of God from the heart, well pleasing in all things, not answering back.

Are you these things always? At all times? Available to do His will, His way, in His timing?

I believe this word has much more meaning than we ever anticipated and it should be used with the utmost respect. Not to be thrown around lightly or used without thought. The choice made by many who rightfully described themselves this way lead to martyrdom. They died for their savior and their choice to obey him.

I would only pray that I could become a person worthy to be called a bondservant. To stand for Christ the way the disciples did. I am not there yet, not even close, but I am working towards it. Are you?