1 Corinthians 7:22-23
For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord's freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ's slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men

Years ago I stepped out of an elevator and ran smack dab into an old friend who had been on the golf team with me in college. Here we were in a completely different state and city, having not seen each other for well over 10 years. Suddenly, there we were face to face! We quickly scheduled a lunch with each other to get caught up on what we were now doing. At the time, I was on track to enter into full time ministry and he was a successful business man in the area. During our lunch, after bringing one another up to date, I was compelled to share the gospel with him. As we discussed the challenges that successful people face when confronted with the decision to surrender their lives to Christ, I posed the question, "How do you tell a person who seems to have everything, a nice car, a beautiful house and family that they need Jesus, that they need a Savior?", to which he quickly responded, "I don't know, how do you tell me?". One of the things I love so much about knowing the Lord is the many contrasts that exist between the truths of the world and the truths about our need for a Savior and how it is one comes to the assurance of eternal life. There are so many people who resist coming to faith in Jesus Christ; because they are certain it means that they become a slave to a 'mean' taskmaster. They are afraid that they will have to give up everything that they hold dear concerned that what Jesus has to offer cannot compare to what they already have. It is indeed true that a person must give up everything they have, however, it is in so doing that they become 'truly free' For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord's freedman. A person will never know how freeing Jesus Christ is until they become his slave. Because, the reality is, when we thought we were free, we really were enslaved, in bondage to our own foolishness. It wasn't until Jesus set us free that we understood how glorious being His slave, His bondservant really is. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed, John 8:36. Oh how sly the enemy is, in convincing people that Jesus is a mean old taskmaster, when in fact He is a glorious, most loving Shepherd, who not only loves His sheep but laid down his life for us.

Lord Jesus, we cannot thank you enough for saving us from our own foolishness. When we thought we were free, we were in bondage to our own sin. And when we surrendered to you, we were 'truly' set free and joyfully became and remain your servants. In doing so Lord, you have blessed us with riches beyond measure, and for that we are eternally grateful. In Your name we pray Amen!

Oh that you would have a most encouraging week this week, as you ponder who your Master is. I pray that your eyes would be opened, not to see what you do not have and think you need, but rather to see the abundance of what you do have in Jesus Christ. As you ponder such things, may your heart be filled with such a sense of gratitude that you become the envy of those around you.