05-02-2008, 04:22 PM
Hi all! :hibye:
The text for today stimulated a line of thought earlier today that I have been mulling over and trying to put into words instead of just feelings and meanderings and so I decided to put 'pen to paper' :post: and see what might happen!
The scripture I am thinking on is found at 1Cor. 7:22 ...
(ASV) For he that was called in the Lord being a bondservant, is the Lord's freedman: likewise he that was called being free, is Christ's bondservant.
(BBE) For he who was a servant when he became a Christian is the Lord's free man; and he who was free when he became a Christian is the Lord's servant.
(ALT) For the [one] in the Lord having been called [as] a slave, is [the] Lord's freedman. Likewise also the free person having been called, is a slave of Christ.
(ESV) For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ.
So, I got to thinking :huh::thinking: ... oh boy ... :funnyface:
How can a SLAVE or SERVANT be a FREE man? :dontknow:
I think perhaps one of the reasons that we might have a problem with this concept (at least in my initial thought process) was that we tend to automatically think of SLAVERY perhaps and how CRUEL and INHUMAN it was for so many people ... :angry::crybaby:
But is this the kind of 'slave' that is being spoken of here? :dontknow::read:
Well, when I looked up the Greek meaning of the word 'slave' a BEAUTIFUL thought ... at least to me :giverose::redface:;) ... came to mind ... although I am not quite sure if it truly fits the meaning or not ... :confused:
The Greek word for slave is ...
doulos doo'-los
From G1210; a slave (literally or figuratively, involuntarily or voluntarily; frequently therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency): - bond (-man), servant.
1210 ... deō deh'-o
A primary verb; to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively): - bind, be in bonds, knit, tie, wind. See also G1163, G1189.
deomai deh'-om-ahee
Middle voice of G1210; to beg (as binding oneself), that is, petition: - beseech, pray (to), make request. Compare G4441.
So, when I looked up these meanings I got thinking of rather than being in 'master'/'servant' relationship as it has come to be done in a HUMAN way ... we instead have a BINDING together with God and Christ ... of our OWN FREE WILL ... we have a CLOSE KNIT 'family' arrangement instead of a 'paid' servant ... and we want it so much that we PRAY for it ... BESEECH for it ... for in ths wonderful relationship there truly is FREEDOM ...
Freedom to love everyone ...
Freedom to express ourself unreservedly to God and his Son ...
Freedom to explore our spirituality and question and search and dig ... Freedom eventually from sin and death and everything bad thing they cause ...
Freedom to come to our Father and his Son with a clean conscience and loving and humble heart ...
and I am sure ya'll can think of other 'freedom' as well ... :cheer::grouphug:
Yes, do we not want to be 'bonded' to our Lord ... to allow him to shepherd and guide us, watch over and take of us ... while allowing us the freedom to roam about in pastures far and wide!! :cheer:
Not sure if I really expressed how I am feeling about this thought ... :blush::giverose: but I tried! :P:siskiss:
Luv as always ... BR :sheepy: :bouncyhearts:
The text for today stimulated a line of thought earlier today that I have been mulling over and trying to put into words instead of just feelings and meanderings and so I decided to put 'pen to paper' :post: and see what might happen!
The scripture I am thinking on is found at 1Cor. 7:22 ...
(ASV) For he that was called in the Lord being a bondservant, is the Lord's freedman: likewise he that was called being free, is Christ's bondservant.
(BBE) For he who was a servant when he became a Christian is the Lord's free man; and he who was free when he became a Christian is the Lord's servant.
(ALT) For the [one] in the Lord having been called [as] a slave, is [the] Lord's freedman. Likewise also the free person having been called, is a slave of Christ.
(ESV) For he who was called in the Lord as a slave is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was free when called is a slave of Christ.
So, I got to thinking :huh::thinking: ... oh boy ... :funnyface:
How can a SLAVE or SERVANT be a FREE man? :dontknow:
I think perhaps one of the reasons that we might have a problem with this concept (at least in my initial thought process) was that we tend to automatically think of SLAVERY perhaps and how CRUEL and INHUMAN it was for so many people ... :angry::crybaby:
But is this the kind of 'slave' that is being spoken of here? :dontknow::read:
Well, when I looked up the Greek meaning of the word 'slave' a BEAUTIFUL thought ... at least to me :giverose::redface:;) ... came to mind ... although I am not quite sure if it truly fits the meaning or not ... :confused:
The Greek word for slave is ...
doulos doo'-los
From G1210; a slave (literally or figuratively, involuntarily or voluntarily; frequently therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency): - bond (-man), servant.
1210 ... deō deh'-o
A primary verb; to bind (in various applications, literally or figuratively): - bind, be in bonds, knit, tie, wind. See also G1163, G1189.
deomai deh'-om-ahee
Middle voice of G1210; to beg (as binding oneself), that is, petition: - beseech, pray (to), make request. Compare G4441.
So, when I looked up these meanings I got thinking of rather than being in 'master'/'servant' relationship as it has come to be done in a HUMAN way ... we instead have a BINDING together with God and Christ ... of our OWN FREE WILL ... we have a CLOSE KNIT 'family' arrangement instead of a 'paid' servant ... and we want it so much that we PRAY for it ... BESEECH for it ... for in ths wonderful relationship there truly is FREEDOM ...
Freedom to love everyone ...
Freedom to express ourself unreservedly to God and his Son ...
Freedom to explore our spirituality and question and search and dig ... Freedom eventually from sin and death and everything bad thing they cause ...
Freedom to come to our Father and his Son with a clean conscience and loving and humble heart ...
and I am sure ya'll can think of other 'freedom' as well ... :cheer::grouphug:
Yes, do we not want to be 'bonded' to our Lord ... to allow him to shepherd and guide us, watch over and take of us ... while allowing us the freedom to roam about in pastures far and wide!! :cheer:
Not sure if I really expressed how I am feeling about this thought ... :blush::giverose: but I tried! :P:siskiss:
Luv as always ... BR :sheepy: :bouncyhearts: