Princes or Slaves
Mood:  bright
Topic: What are we to be?
What are we to be Princes or Slaves?

Let us observe the following verses:

You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. (Romans 6:18)

"As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he shows us his mercy. (Psalm 123:2)


"But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life." (Romans 6:22)

Notice we must become slaves. Contrary to how we understand slavery, where one is enslaved against his will, we are to be willing servants eager to surrender our lives to the Master. Some could argue that a slave is not an heir therefore It is inaccurate to consider ourselves princes or princesses in accordance with the above scriptures.

On the Other hand let us observe these verses:

12Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation—but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it. 13For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, 14because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. 15For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship.[g] And by him we cry, "Abba,[h] Father." 16The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. 17Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory. (Romans8:12-17)

"What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were children, we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, "Abba, Father." So you are no longer a slave, but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir." (Galatians 4:1-7)

So as sons and daughters of God, through the Holy Spirit, we are made heirs. But what do we inherit? It's not a crown, or a throne, or any other princely thing that awaits us in the kingdom of heaven. It's the promise from God to all who believe of an eternity in heaven. An eternity spent in service and worship. Although 1 Corinthians 6:3 tells us: "Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!" It appears we will be considered equal if not higher than angels--and even judge them. It certainly sounds like we are more than lowly servants in the kingdom of heaven. So shouldn’t we "boast in the Lord, let the afflicted hear and rejoice." (Psalm 34:2) And, "In God, make our boast all day long" (Psalm 44:8) We should boast--about the awesome, merciful, infinite, powerful, Loving God we serve. After all what do we have to brag about--other than the glory of God? Let us not forget that we, men and women under the sun, all fall short of the Glory of God.

Let's stop for a moment and consider the life of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. We read that he was not born into a wealthy family. He became poor, lowly, humble, and a servant of God. Why?

“Sitting down, Jesus called the Twelve and said, "If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and the servant of all." (Mark 9:35)

“For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.” (Matthew 23:12)

Now I am not implying that Jesus had to humble himself to be exalted. Actually I’m acknowledging the great example he sets for us; if we are to model ourselves after Christ.

Ultimately, the promise or “inheritance” of everlasting is meant to give us hope.
The Heir’s inheritance is one he is born into. Thus it is rightfully his according to his lineage. If we are to receive our rightful inheritance according to our lineage - well you get the picture.

So it is evident that by the grace of God alone we are granted our undeserving reward. We are not physically or even spiritually born into our inheritance; we are born into sin, and require the mercy of our King. However, when we are "born again" we are made new in Christ and we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, and by the spirit we put to death the misdeeds of our body. However it is not purity we attain when we are "born again", rather we get a clean slate and a fresh start; a chance to trade our sin for a relationship with God; Relationship is the keyword here. Purity or Righteousness is something we alone can never attain in our earthly vessel. Not so long as Adam & Eve's blood runs through our veins. We can't change that anymore than we can change the color of our eyes. The Bible tells us that in Christ we are set free from the bondage of sin, and have become slaves to God, and by the Holy Spirit we receive the Spirit of sonship.

I feel we should celebrate the complexity our duality, in that we are to be humble servants and at the same time heirs to an eternity with the King. As sons of God, we are heirs, and as seekers of Righteousness, we are slaves.