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Who Are You Serving - Luke 16
Who Are You Serving - Luke 16
Everyone serves someone (or something). In the New Testament, the word for slave has often been softened in translation to ‘serve’ or ‘servant’, yet it usually meant ‘slave’. The Jews of Jesus day, although they had a very checkered path of having been enslaved by various peoples / governments, would yet proclaim: “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never yet been enslaved to anyone:…” (John 8:33)
We aren’t much different, though separated by 2000 years, different language, and differing social structures. NOT ME, we proclaim. I am not a slave! Yet, the number of different addictions in this country is almost staggering.
Paul stated: “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?” (Romans 6:16). When we chose to sin, we present ourselves to become slaves of sin! It didn’t always seem oppressive or restrictive, yet we could never by ourselves become free from its obligations! The soul that sins it shall die. (Ezek. 18:4, 20) The wages of sin is death. (Rom. 6.23)
This echoes what Jesus had said to the people: “Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.” (John 8:34)
For disciples of Jesus, Paul could add: “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.” (Rom. 6:17-18). Again, this echoes Jesus statement: “ (34) Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin. (35) "The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever. (36) "So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” (John 8:34-36)
BUT, am I really a slave of righteousness? Am I really presenting ‘my members’ as slaves to righteousness? Or am I still trying to be my own master? This is not a matter of interrogation by me (or anyone else), but it is of utmost importance that YOU examine your self, your motives, your actions, your heart! Who are you serving?
Hugh DeLong
