One of our adult children is doing a major remodel to their house. It is a large addition that will profoundly impact what they are able to do in their home for years to come. But for the addition to truly last, they first have to lay a solid foundation. In the same way, we must lay the right biblical foundation if we are going to consistently abide in Jesus and bear much fruit that remains (John 15:8, 16). Over the next few weeks, I will write about 3 foundational truths that, if we meditate upon them and act upon them, we will bear much fruit for the glory of God. But I warn you, these truths are contrary to the thought processes of the world, the flesh, and the devil. Living this way will be a radical departure from the way most people live. It will require a change not just in our activity, but in our identity. These truths are not just what we do, but who we are in Jesus.
Today, I simply want to give you a broad overview of the three truths. In the following weeks, I will go into greater detail on each of them. The three life-changing, foundational truths about who we are in Jesus: 1) Slaves; 2) Stewards; 3) Ambassadors.
Slaves.
It is difficult to use this word because of its connotations in American history, but it is used frequently in the Bible to describe our proper relationship to Jesus Christ as LORD of our lives. Many translations of the Bible chose the English word “servant” or “bond-servant” instead of the proper translation, “slave.” But in doing so, the profound nature of the word was lost, and with it the proper understanding of our relationship to Jesus as our Lord/Master.
Pastor and author, John MacArthur, wrote on the topic: “The fundamental aspects of slavery are the very features of our redemption that Scripture puts the most stress on. We are chosen (Eph. 1:4 – 5; 1 Peter 1:1; 2:9); bought (1 Cor. 6:20; 7:23); owned by our Master (Rom. 14:7 – 9; 1 Cor. 6:19; Titus 2:14); subject to the Master’s will and control over us (Acts 5:29; Rom. 6:16 – 19; Phil. 2:5 – 8); and totally dependent on the Master for everything in our lives (2 Cor. 9:8 – 11; Phil. 4:19). We will ultimately be called to account (Rom. 14:12); evaluated (2 Cor. 5:10); and either chastened or rewarded by Him (Heb. 12:5 – 11; 1 Cor. 3:14). Those are all essential components of slavery.” (MacArthur, John F., The Gospel According to Jesus (pp. 35-36). Zondervan. Kindle Edition.)
Years later, he wrote another book specifically on the issue of our identity as slaves: “Slave: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ.” I heartily recommend you read it for an in-depth look at this powerful foundational truth about your identity in Christ. If you can’t read the book, please ponder the following verses and the implications for our lives when we see ourselves as slaves of our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ: Mt. 6:24; Lk. 9:23; Acts 4:29; Rom. 6:15-23; 1 Cor. 6:19-20; 2 Cor. 4:5; Gal. 1:10; Eph. 6:5-9; 2 Tim. 2:24-26; 1 Pet. 2:16. Note also that all of the apostles saw their core identity as slaves of Jesus: Rom. 1:1; Phil. 1:1; Tit. 1:1; James 1:1; 2 Pet. 1:1; Jude 1; Rev. 1:1. And note that in the eternal state we will still be called slaves and serve Jesus as our Lord (Rev. 22:3).
Stewards.
Because Jesus is our Lord / Master / Owner, everything we have belongs to Him. Time, talents, treasures, homes, cars, money, retirement accounts, positions, relationships, family… All that we have He entrusted to us to manage (steward) for His glory. We don’t give part of it to Him and then do what we want with the rest because it all belongs to Him. Because we are managers and not owners, it is our responsibility to use / spend / invest all that He has given to us the way He wants us to. This foundational truth drives us to study His Word, understand His will, and manage everything His way for His glory. We aren’t simply stewards of what we do but how we do things. Just a few verses on stewardship: Mt. 25:14-30; Luke 16:11; Titus 1:7-10; 1 Cor. 4:1-2; 1 Pet. 4:10-11.
Ambassadors.
One primary area of stewardship is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Our Lord & King has commissioned as His ambassadors (2 Cor. 5:18-21) to take the Gospel to people that they might be reconciled to Him. As slaves and stewards we don’t have the right to change the message or make it more palatable for our culture, we must simply go as ambassadors and deliver the message that was given to us (Gal. 1:6-12). And we do it as His representatives making sure that our lives align with the message we proclaim (Mt. 5:13-16; 2 Cor. 2:14-17; 1 Pet. 2:9-12; 1 Pet. 3:14-16).
What motivates us to live this way? Our desire to please our Lord and King (2 Cor. 5:9). The awareness that we will stand before Him one day, give an account, and be rewarded (1 Cor. 3:10-15; 2 Cor. 5:10), and His love that compels us to live not for ourselves but for Him (2 Cor. 5:14-15).
This is who we are in Jesus Christ: slaves, stewards, and ambassadors. Understanding who we are in Christ powerfully impacts what we do and how we do it. May this be the foundation of our lives so that we will bear much fruit that remains and bring great glory to our Lord and Master.