Bond-servant vs Slave

2 Peter 1:1

Simon Peter, a bondservant and apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who have obtained like precious faith with us by the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ. 2 Peter 1:1

bond-servant:

• one who gives himself up wholly to another's will, 

• is used with the highest dignity in the NT, namely, of believers who willingly live under Christ's authority as His devoted followers

• are those whose agency God employs in executing his purposes: 

• properly, someone who belongs to another; a bond-slave, without any ownership rights of their own

Bond-servant vs Slave

Is there a difference between a bond-servant and a slave? 

I think the major difference is attitude. A bond-servant is one who WILLINGLY wants to serve another. It's a choice of actions and attitude to want to be under the authority and submission of another. 

When you think about it, we all are under the authority of someone. "Not me! I answer to NO ONE!" 

Well, you may think that, but that's not true. For each action and word spoken portrays exactly who you are serving. Your loyalty may be to a group, or individual, or a ideology. The point is that your actions, words, and attitude reflect who has influence over you. 

The difference between a bond-servant and a slave is attitude. A bond-servant wants to do exactly what is asked and required of him. The bond-servant is willing to give up his desires to do the will of another out of respect and love. 

What does God require? 

He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you except to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion), and to walk humbly with your God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness]? Micah 6:8 (AMP)

Bond-slave. 

gives himself up wholly to another's will, who willingly live under Christ's authority as His devoted followers. 

Willingly live under God's authority. 

Am I willing? 

Thanks Living: As He Said

He is not here; for He is risen, as He said. Matthew 28:6a

Today is Easter, or as I like to call it, Resurrection day! The truth and fact that our Lord and Savior is living and alive —is not only amazing, but provides that eternal hope. 

The crucifixion and resurrection can be read in Matthew 26 through 28. 

As I read Matthew 28:6 this morning, I especially liked the last three words in the first sentence, "as He said". 

As He said. 
Those three words contain so much! They show the faithfulness of God to His word. They show that He knew the full scope of His death, burial and resurrection. They show that God speaks the truth. They show that God has the authority and power to do what He says! 

As He said. 
Thankful that I serve a risen Savior! Thanks Living is finding the security in three words—As He Said. 

Happy Resurrection Day! 

Full Access and Authority

If you are looking for the posts about

God's Amazing Blessing

Announcement—I'm moving!

here's the link to the first Part: 

http://createapositiveday.blogspot.com/2015/05/announcement-part-1-im-moving.html

Then follow the arrows at the bottom of each post to the next Part.

There are 10 parts in all.

I recommend that you read each part, there are amazing details—

and God took care of each and every one! 

______________________________________________

This post is the continuation of my Study of Colossians.   

Let the word [spoken by] Christ (the Messiah) have its home [in your hearts and minds] and dwell in you in [all its] richness, as you teach and admonish and train one another in all insight and intelligence and wisdom [in spiritual things, and as you sing] psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, making melody to God with [His] grace in your hearts.  Colossians 3:16 (AMP)

The Word of God dwell in you: 

• as an inhabitant that takes up its residence and abode, never more to depart;
• and intends not only a frequent reading, and hearing of, and meditating upon the word of God but continuance in the doctrines of the Gospel,
• with a steady faith in them, and a hearty affection for them; for such an inhabitation imports a very exact knowledge of the Gospel, and familiarity with it, and affectionate respect for it;
• as persons that dwell in a house, they are well known by those of the family, they are familiarly conversed with, and are treated with love and respect by them:
• and so the word of Christ, when it has a fixed and established abode in a man's heart, he has an inward, spiritual, experimental knowledge of it; he is continually conversant with it; this word of Christ is his delight, his acquaintance, with whom he takes sweet counsel together, and esteems it above the most valuable things in the world, and receives and retains it as the word of God.
• The manner in which the apostle would have it dwell is. 

John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Dwell: inhabit, occupy, exist, be found in, hang around, lodge, abide, establish oneself, make one's home, remain, reside, settle, stay

As I prepare to move into the King of king's Castle, I'm having a new understanding of "dwelling". Living in an apartment, even though I considered it my home, it actually was not. The apartment complex had rules on what could or could not be done. I did not have full access or full authority over what could or could not happen in the apartment. 

The Apartment Management had authority over the carpet color. They had authority over the time and details of the kitchen remodel. They had authority over the appliances. They had authority over all the aspects of the apartment. I was not a permanent resident I was a tenant that did not have full access or full authority. 

Now owning a home, I'm understanding the sense of dwelling. For there is not only freedom inhabiting a home, there is also more responsibility. There are things I have to learn and do to continue to make sure my home is well taken care of now and in the future. I now have full access and full authority to what takes place in my home. 

God's Word is to not be a "renter" where I control what and want not will apply, or "evict" the parts of God's Word I don't like. No, rather God's Word is to have a permanent residence. Full access and authority — given to the "home owner". 

As the Word of God is given full access and authority, the effect will be a heart permeated with a deep sense of reverence for God (Acts 9:31; MSG).

Investigate

This year, I'm sharing my "Treasures" of my study of my "Ponder the Morsels" book. I've picked 31 Psalms to study throughout 2013. Today I studied Psalm 8. Here is what I learned.

When I view and consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained and established. Psalm 8:3 (AMP)

When I gaze to the skies and meditate on Your creation—on the moon, stars, and all You have made. Psalm 8:3 (VOICE)

Consider: A primitive root; to see, literally or figuratively; advise self, appear, approve, behold, consider, discern, (make to) enjoy, have experience, gaze, take heed, look (on, one another, one on another, one upon another, out, up, upon), mark, meet, perceive, present, regard, (have) respect, spy, stare,think, view.

Investigate (verb) 

1. to examine, study, or inquire into systematically; search or examine into the particulars of; examine in detail.

2. to search out and examine the particulars of in an attempt to learn the facts about something hidden, unique, or complex.

I like mysteries and crime shows. I like to search for the answers and the whys, hows, etc. Investigation intrigues me. In Psalm 8:3 I am to consider, study,  investigate the sky, the Heavens, the stars, the moon, etc. NOT to worship them, but rather see God’s handiwork. Creation in and of itself shows the power, majesty, and vastness of God. As I investigate the things God created, it allows me to gain a greater insight into just how awesome God really is. 

Take our Earth for example. God tilted it at just the precise angle so that it gives us the Seasons. And that fulfills a promise in Genesis 8:22, As long as the earth endures, nothing will put a stop to planting and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night. (VOICE)

God in His infinite wisdom created our universe, and beyond with specific, intricate details so that everything works in accordance to His plan. He tilted the earth, so that we’d have Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. He made sure the Earth was positioned close enough to the sun to get heat, but just far enough away so that we would not “burn up”. 

Investigate what God has made and learn of the power, majesty and awesomeness of God almighty. To create a positive day, I only need to investigate God’s creation, for it clearly demonstrates God’s ability, authority and sovereignty.