Top 10 reasons to become a slave

Last week, I shared an introduction to slavery, but I didn’t explain why becoming a slave matters or why Christians should be all over it. That was a mistake – I should have started with this article.

In a era where slavery is marginalized, its benefits  go unnoticed… forgotten. Who wakes up in the morning thinking, How can I become a slave today? I write about it, but that’s certainly not me. How could I expect you to care about slavery?

In this article, I’d like to step back and share some of the benefits. It’s not a complete list, but I hope it gives a feel for where I’m coming from.

Just to clear this up, these are reasons to become a slave to Christ. I don’t recommend becoming a slave to anything else, so this list doesn’t necessarily apply to other kinds of slavery. But I think it certainly applies to you.

And now, here are the top 10 reasons to become a slave:

1. God instructed you

“Receive, please, instruction from His mouth, and lay up His words in your heart. If you return to the Almighty, you will be built up…” -Job 22:22-23

“Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; keep her, for she is your life.” -Proverbs 4:13

I could go on and on. God gave and continues to give instruction so you and I won’t be idiots (or do idiotic things). Listen.

Oh, one more because I like the way it’s worded:

“Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge,But he who hates correction is stupid.” -Proverbs 12:1

2. You’re a slave anyway

As Bobby D. sang…

“Well, it may be the devil, or it may be the Lord, but you’re gunna have to serve somebody…” -Bob Dylan, Gotta Serve Somebody

It’s true.

“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” -Luke 16:13

You might as well make a deliberate choice. You might as well make the right choice.

3. Slaves change the world

The people who change the world – not just change but positively impact the world – are slaves. They’re slaves because they dedicate their lives to their pursuit.

Changing the world is a tough job. It doesn’t happen on nights and weekends or Easters and Christmases. Sure, it can start there, but the real world changers give their lives completely, thoroughly… all the time.

That’s what slaves do. And the results are amazing.

4. Slavery is liberating

At first, no one sees this coming – it sounds oxymoronic (perhaps just moronic). You almost have to try slavery to know how liberating it is. Here are two ways I’ve felt the liberation:

1. Slaves aren’t responsible for results.

When you’re a slave, it doesn’t matter how the results turn out – or at least you’re not responsible for them. After all, the results come because the plans worked. The master makes the plans – the slave follows them. If the plans don’t work out, the slave’s not at fault.

Slaves enjoy results but aren’t responsible for them.

The slave is only responsible for obeying. Doesn’t sound so liberating… but try it – you’ll see.

2. If you’re a slave to God, then you’re free from sin.

“[K]nowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.” -Romans 6:6

Freedom from sin is amazing. I don’t have much else to say about that for now. Again, try it and see.

5. You’ll become more than your puny self

Slaves aren’t individuals – they’re part of their master. As an individual, you’re only as big as yourself, but as a slave, you’re bigger than yourself.

• You carry the master’s reputation.
• You receive the master’s protection.
• You work on the master’s projects.
• And more…

If your master’s lousy – doesn’t have a good reputation, can’t protect, and has meaningless projects – then of course slavey might not feel so attractive. But if you have a spectacular master, you’re part of something spectacular. God is spectacular.

6. People will love you for it

God’s slaves serve others. In all fairness, people will hate you for that more than like you… and certainly more than love you. But the people who do recognize what you’re doing for them will be thrilled out of their minds.

How many movies have you seen or stories have you read where someone saves someone else’s life, and as a result that someone else devotes his or her life to the life saver? Gratitude is powerful.

So sure, not everyone will recognize your life-savingness, but those who do… just imagine. Or don’t imagine… go live it.

7. People will respect you more

Even if no one loves you, they’ll respect your devotion. Not everyone agrees with everyone else – most don’t. But most people do respect those who are totally, utterly devoted to what they believe and what they do.

Slaves are totally devoted.

People trust those with devotion. If you’re not devoted, why should anyone care? But if you say you’re devoted and are, they’ll pay more attention.

8. It’s the only meaningful way to give back

When someone gives so much to someone else, the thankfulness piles up. And when you and I are blessed beyond anything we can imagine, the only meaningful response is to spread that blessing to others. (I love the gratitude echo.)

• Paying back with money isn’t enough.
• Paying back with time isn’t enough.
• Paying back with energy isn’t even enough.

The only meaningful response is to give your life back… and even then, you’re not paying back – that’s impossible. Instead, your sharing back. And that’s more meaningful than any business, quid pro quo transaction.

9. You’ll live your best life now

I love how cheesy this sounds, but like the others, it’s true.

God doesn’t give instruction so He’ll benefit – He gives instruction so you and I will benefit. His instruction is our lifeline. We’re dependent on God – His instruction keeps us safe.

But more than safe, God’s instruction blesses us beyond any life we could build from our own plans.

10. God commanded you

Finally, and this goes all the way back to the top, become a slave because God commanded you. God asks nicely, but if that doesn’t work…

“The fear of the Lord i s the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.” -Psalm 111:10

When all else fails, serve the Lord because there’s no other option. You are lost without Him. If Jesus is your Savior, He has to be your Lord. Otherwise, He can’t save you. Depending demands submitting.

For a bondChristian, Jesus is Savior and Lord.

Serving Suggestions:

(1) Become a slave. Nice and practical, right? I’ll followup on this in the coming posts.

(2) What are some common objections to slavery? What are your reasons for avoiding it? I’m working on a post that will answer some of the common problems we have with slavery, so I’d love to get your feedback on this. Perhaps I’ll use some of it in the next part of this series.

(3) For those of you who’ve read all the way to the bottom, this isn’t a serving suggestion – I just want to say thank you.

This post is part of “The bondC guide to slavery” series. Click here to read the rest.