Who are we as Christians?

[rojoloco]

I got an offer in the mail from Grace To You regarding John MacArthur's new book titled Slave. I was reading the letter than MacArthur wrote that went along with it. He had some things to say that I have honestly never pondered. However, as I read them, I realized he has a very valid point. I'll just quote a part of it:

Today there is a wide variety of familiar phrases and cliches commonly used to describe what it means to be a Christian. You probably hear a few each day without giving them much critical thought. But on closer examination, some of the most common ways believers identify themselves are inadequate, misleading, or (in the worst cases) biblically unsound.

For example, I'm sure you've heard people talk about having "a personal relationship with Jesus." That expression is really too vague to be helpful. Every creature has a personal relationship with its Creator. Even Satan has a personal relationship with God -- it's not a good one, but it is personal. Saying you have a personal relationship with the Lord doesn't set you apart from the rest of the world, and it doesn't begin to explain the true significance of the believer's relationship to the Lord.

Another phrase I hear used a lot these days is "Christ-follower." While that may sound more biblical, it is likewise too ambiguous to express what it means to be a Christian. Even during Jesus' lifetime, multitudes followed Him without trusting in Him and being transformed by Him. That's what John 6 is all about. By the end of that chapter, multitudes who had been following Jesus turned away completely because they didn't like His teaching. They were not true believers at all. So calling yourself a "Christ-follower" still barely hints at the biblical reality of what it means to be a Christian.

In fact, most of the language used in churches today to describe what it means to be a Christian falls far short of the biblical reality. Too many people talk about salvation as if it were all about entitlement and prosperity. According to them, Christianity is about God's loving you as you are, fulfilling your dreams, or boosting your self-esteem. That kind of talk reduces God to little more than a genie in a bottle. It falls fatally short of an accurate depiction of the saving Lord of Scripture. In short, it's blasphemy.

He goes on to say how the New Testament alone use one specific word more than 120 times to describe our status with Jesus. That word is slave. He goes on to say:

Flip through the New Testament today, however, and no matter which English translation you read, you won't find many places where the word slave is still intact. Instead, the meaning and implications of the original Greek text have been muted, disguised, or obscured -- in some cases accidentally, while other instances were intentionally omitted or toned down because the concept of slavery is so repugnant to the human mind. Often the word for slave has been translated as "servant" or "bondservant," but neither of those words captures the full meaning the original authors intended.

Put simply, you and I are not servants who were hired for a task. We're not volunteers. We are slaves, bought and paid for at a high price -- the highest possible price, in fact. Understanding that is a fundamental part of the gospel, and it dictates and informs how you and I are called to live and serve.

 

[rag4aCrown]

I got an offer in the mail from Grace To You regarding John MacArthur's new book titled Slave. I was reading the letter than MacArthur wrote that went along with it. He had some things to say that I have honestly never pondered. However, as I read them, I realized he has a very valid point. I'll just quote a part of it:



He goes on to say how the New Testament alone use one specific word more than 120 times to describe our status with Jesus. That word is slave. He goes on to say:

Greetings in the Lord Jesus;
I can only speak from self experience and what the Holy Spirit has ministered unto me.
We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. Amen.

My life is not my own, it belongs to God.
It was mine and I gave it to Him; because of sin and the misery of death, fearing hell and condemnation; God draw me to Him. Amen.
Even this is not something we do for ourselves. God is in control of ALL things, ALL His creation. Amen.
He knows whom He has chosen.

When my life was mine; I did what I wanted, I walked where I wanted, I dressed how I wanted, I spoke what I wanted...........get the picture?
Then I gave my life to Him: it is not mine to do with what I want, where I walk, how I dress, what I speak, anymore. As I hear His speak, I speak. Jesus claimed the same. Amen.
The majority of "believers" say they are Christians, which simply means followers of Christ. But, are we?
The Word tells us; As He suffered for us, arm yourselves likewise.
Have you suffered anything for His names sake?
No one wants to suffer; we can't get over ourselves own flesh to suffer IN Him, WITH Him, FOR Him. Amen.

I hear the "house made with hands" say, "Christ did it all. There is nothing we have to do." This is a lie and they do not know Him.
We are to follow in His steps of the example He walked out before us. Hence, pick up our cross (daily) and follow Him. Amen. 1 Peter 2:21
The majority does not have a clue what it means to follow Him, nor can they tell you what it entails to "pick up your cross", because they have not did it themselves.
Only God is the unveils the scriptures to true "seekers of Christ". Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life. HE is the door. Amen.

God is calling to His rue servants to come out of the "great *****" and leave her desolate, naked and full of shame. Every sin before God is within the walls of "a church".
JESUS is "THE CHURCH"; the Church made WITHOUT hands. Amen.
A church is full of bondage, sin and hypocrisy. Hypocrisy comes from within the walls out; not outside in.
We will be held accountable for what we know; they preach it and do it not; Be doers of the Word, not hearers only.

When I fell to my knees at the cross, I saw the chains go on; I am ONE with Him; chosen BY Him, baptized FOR Him. I know my fate.
One man that sit way in the back, said he did not see the chains go on but rather he heard them as I was being chained to Jesus and the cross.
I hang with Him and I rose with Him; the old man is past away, and the new man is ALIVE IN HIM. Amen.

Any choice I make that I made of myself and did not confer or prayer about I suffer greatly; I suffer IN HIM, WITH HIM, and HE teaches me my wrong; CRYING OUT Abba Father. Amen. I come the presence of God's wisdom and understanding by revelation knowledge of Jesus Christ. That only HE can unveil. Amen.

I stand in all good conscience with God, as I have spoken to you today.
Do not be offended.
We can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. Amen.
As we live, move, and breath, we do so unto God. Amen.
When I speak, I speak to Him first. He sees all, hears all, knows all. The truth will set you free. Amen.
I do not, can not, will not use my cloak of liberty to work maliciousness. Amen.
As HE is, so I AM. Praise God for THE KING of kings and LORD of lords. Amen.

All praise, honor, and glory be to God. Amen.

 

[B-A-C]

Put simply, you and I are not servants who were hired for a task. We're not volunteers. We are slaves, bought and paid for at a high price -- the highest possible price, in fact. Understanding that is a fundamental part of the gospel, and it dictates and informs how you and I are called to live and serve.

Hmm.. I wonder if John MacArthur has read Romans?

Rom 8:14; For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.
Rom 8:15; For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, "Abba! Father!"
Rom 8:16; The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are children of God,
Rom 8:17; and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.

Rom 8:23; And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.

Gal 3:26; For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.

John 8:34; Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.
John 8:35; "The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son does remain forever.
John 8:36; "So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.

John 15:14; "You are My friends if you do what I command you.
John 15:15; "No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all things that I have heard from My Father I have made known to you.

A slave is someone who does something because he "has to".
A son of God is someone who serves him because he "chooses to".

 

[james1523]

I think Christians are both bondslaves and sons of God and I do not see them as contradictory.
In terms of our positional relationship with God we are sons of God. In terms of our service to Him we are bondslaves. The Greek word is doulos. The proper translation is "bondslave".
It means a person whose will is overshadowed by the masters will, who does not belong to himself, and has no rights, and is bound to the master until death. A bondslave has no will or authority of his own.