Romans 1:1 
New King James Version

1 “Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God”

What a powerful declaration! The great Apostle Paul, with all his credentials and achievements, first identifies himself as a bondservant of Jesus Christ. This wasn’t a title of shame but his greatest honor!

A bondservant is one who has willingly given themselves in total service to another, renouncing any claim to their own life. In scripture, a bondservant signifies someone who is wholly devoted to God, living in complete submission and service to His will. 

Philippians 1:21
New King James Version

21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Paul’s devotion to God translated into his mindset. When he says, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain,” he is declaring that his entire life is centered on Christ and His purposes. To live is to embody Christ’s character, to serve His mission, and to bring glory to His name in every thought, word, and action. It is a life of total surrender, where personal ambitions are replaced by a desire to fulfill God’s will.

2 Corinthians 5:15-17
New King James Version 

15 “and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.”

16 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

17 “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”

Understand this, as servants, our lives, once centered on self, are now centered on Christ. We no longer live for our ambitions but for Him who died and rose again for us. This calling compels us to embrace the ministry of reconciliation, sharing the message of God’s love and salvation with the world. 

To be a bondservant in Christ means living a life entirely sold out to Him, a life characterized by obedience, faith, and service.

Romans 1:16
New King James Version

16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.”

One way we live as bondservants is through our commitment to evangelism. When we share the gospel, we are offering others the power of God unto salvation. The message we carry has the potential to transform lives and grant eternal life. This is not a task we undertake in our strength but through the sufficiency of God.

Luke 19:17
New King James Version

17 “And he said to him, ‘Well done, good servant; because you were faithful in a very little, have authority over ten cities.'”

Another vital expression of our servanthood is through stewardship. See how Jesus emphasizes this. The master commends the servant for being faithful with little and entrusts him with greater responsibility. As believers, we must ask ourselves whether we are faithfully using what God has placed in our hands – our time, talents, and resources for His glory.

Romans 12:11
New King James Version

11 “not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;”

This scripture shows us that a life sold out to God is marked by diligence, fervor, and wholehearted devotion. We are encouraged not to be “lagging in diligence” but to serve the Lord with zeal and passion. This entails consistent prayer, studying the Word, and actively participating in the life of the church.

What does this mean for the believer today? It means sponsoring the gospel through financial support or serving in the church. It also means sharing the gospel with that colleague at work or that neighbor who needs to hear about Jesus. We must organize our lives around our calling as bondservants of Christ.

The life of a bondservant is a life of joyful surrender, marked by obedience, faithfulness, and unwavering devotion to God. It is a life lived not for self but for the glory of Christ.

Prayer Point:
Father, grant me the grace to serve You wholeheartedly, recognizing that my sufficiency comes from You. Help me to be faithful with all You have entrusted to me, living a life that glorifies Your name. Strengthen me for the work ahead and guide me in fulfilling Your purpose for my life.