Freedom to Serve

In Exodus 21 we read of the story of a slave set free by the master of the home in which the slave served. The slave was free to go wherever he chose, to do whatever he wanted to do. However, should the slave, realizing the master was good, providing well for his every need, desire to serve his master all his days, he could do so. It was tradition that this commitment by the slave be acknowledged in public. We read in Exodus 21:6, his master must take him to the door or doorpost and publicly pierce his ear with an awl. After that, the slave will serve his master for life (NLT). Like so many things in our physical world, this is symbolic in our spiritual world.

The Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 1:1, This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach His Good news (NLT). When Paul realized who Jesus was, that His mission was to willingly die to pay the penalty for the sins of the whole world, Paul chose to surrender his life to serve Jesus all his days. Therefore, publicly he shared the Good News that all who come to Jesus can be forgiven of every sin and receive eternal life. It’s a free gift to all who come, repenting of sin, and thanking Jesus for paying the price with His own life. An outpouring of our love for Jesus is the desire to surrender to His ways, knowing He loves us, cares for us, guides us, gives us safety in the storms of life, peace in any chaos, strength to endure any hardship.

Paul also wrote in Romans 1:16, I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ It the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes — the Jew first and also the Gentile (NLT). Anyone may come to Jesus to receive forgiveness of any sin. The joy that comes as a result is immeasurable. When we realize, through the power of the Holy Spirit, the vast love of God for us, why wouldn’t we also willingly stand before Him, and say, “I love You. I want to serve You all my life. I place the ear of my heart on the doorpost of your love. In my heart I ask You to bore a hole in my ear that I may be identified as serving You all my life.”

Aways remember, People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart ((I Samuel 16:7 NLT). May we all know the joy of letting the Holy Spirit bore a hole in the ear of our hearts that all may see clearly the One we love and serve for all our lives. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven (Matthew 5:16 KJV).