I was told by the mission team that recently accompanied me to Armenia that this is their favorite photo of me from our trip. I suppose it captures both our purpose and our joy. After all, we traveled to the other side of the world to serve people in Christ’s name – to humble ourselves in love before them in whatever ways would be required. And this would mean getting tired and sweaty and dirty and – at least in my case – covered in the paint that would brighten our playground construction project.
In Romans 1:1, the Apostle Paul self-identifies as “a slave of Jesus Christ.” Most modern English translations employ the word “servant” in that verse, but “doulos” is a strong word used in the Scriptures to describe one who has given up his or her will in service to another. The idea is that the “slave” has surrendered the self-interests that come naturally to us.
In fact, the Bible calls you and me to joyful surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
We’re tempted to read quickly through Paul’s introduction to Romans without feeling the weight of what he’s saying here. This is radical, friends. As a faithful Jew, Paul could lean on his spiritual pedigree or accolades – but he does the very opposite. His mode is full surrender. He leans only on Jesus.
We must remember that the Israelites were descended from a long and awful period of brutal slavery. The often-merciless powers of Egypt ruled over them for 400 years. So to be called a “slave” in any context would have sounded abhorrent in the ears of a Jew, as slavery would have invoked the worst aspects of their history and conjured up their most bitter feelings of shame. So it’s nothing less than shocking that Paul readily embraces this title of “slave,” with all of its implications of servitude and humility. He embraces the title because the attitude accompanying it is essential not only for the preaching of the gospel – as we seek to carry out the Great Commission – but for the foundation of our faith.
Let me say it again: Christianity is, by its very nature, real-life submission to Christ as Lord.
We tend to be drawn to the idea that Christ humbled Himself for us. We like that. That God loves us to the infinite degree is a beautiful truth indeed, and the Cross is our Exhibit A. We tend to find such amazing grace both captivating and stirring, as we should. That Christ would humble Himself and die for me is more than wonderful! Among my highest and greatest thoughts, I know nothing more wonderful than this boundless, undeserved, and reconciling love.
By contrast, we tend to struggle with the notion that our Lord calls us to a life of Christlike sacrifice. That’s often a hard pill to swallow. It’s often the case that, sometimes without even realizing it, we’re balking at the responsibility that is ours to take on the identity of one who is truly “in Christ” – the identity of one who is truly trusting in Christ. Whether we know it or not, we’re pushing back against the reality that we’re no longer the proverbial master of the ship. We’re no longer in control. There is a boss, but He’s not us. In fact, it’s no longer about us. Such a redefinition of ourselves – in our own stubborn thinking – doesn’t usually happen overnight. Dying to self tends to be a slow death.
Let’s face it: it’s not easy to wrestle our old prideful nature to the ground. On our own, we’re powerless to do it. But, filled with the Spirit of the risen Christ – this is the magnificence of the rest of Paul’s letter to the Romans – we’re steered toward embracing our new and far better identity in Jesus.
You see, what makes us happy isn’t nearly as important as what makes us holy. But the truth is that, where Jesus Christ is Lord, happiness and holiness are no longer enemies. In fact, the greatest joy we’ll ever know or experience is our surrender to the Master who loved us enough to purchase us by the shedding of His own blood.
Friends, independence is vastly and desperately overrated. The happiness that you and I are craving is found in Christ-dependence. Our sense of “independence” can be sinful rebellion in disguise, but surrender is where our hearts can truly soar with a delight that only a child of God can understand! Our restless souls find this a bit counterintuitive, but our surrender is the ultimate way of peace and satisfaction.
Are we willing to surrender? This is the million-dollar question that we must answer. And only a Sovereign Savior can help us answer it honestly. Make no mistake about it: as we yield our will to the will of the One who’s truly in charge, we will walk through some personal sorrow – perhaps even some gut-wrenching agony. It’s not an easy road that you and I’ve been given to travel, and it’s no easy calling to give up the reins of control that we’ve found so seductive with their false sense of security.
And living sacrifices tend to crawl off the altar. But we are not alone, and our God will help us – as He always does. As we learn to surrender, I’ll remind you of what C.S. Lewis wrote of the losses that we suffer in this life for Christ: “Heaven will work backwards and turn even agony into glory. Like waking up from a nightmare … whatever has been lost will be that much sweeter when it is regained.”
Yes, Jesus loves me. And we can trust our faithful Shepherd, for He loves us with a passion that painted His own body red.
We are marked for the gospel!
Pastor Charles
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