Slave the Study Guide: The Hidden Truth About Your Identity in Christ

by John F. MacArthur Jr.

What do people around you think the word Christian means?

What do people around you think the word Christian means? Outside the church, I think most people consider a Christian to be a member of a social/society group that is loosely connected to the principles of the 10 Commandments. Most would reject the inerrancy of Scriptures, believing them to be a collection of stories created to explain or describe those 10 Commandment positions. Some believe Jesus actually existed, but doubt the virgin birth as they rely more on scientific principles rather than scriptural.

Based on John 10:27, how do Jesus’ expectations of His followers compare with the world’s understanding of “Christian”?

Jn 10:27 - My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. Jesus expects a total commitment from those who would call themselves Christ followers (Christians). The average Chrsitian today would have great difficulty of decision when confronted with the Gospel truth of what being a Christ follower entails. Most would turn away.

What are some characteristics you normally associate with the term slave?

Slave characteristics: Humble; obedient; submissive; loyal; uneducated; lower class socially; not highly skilled; servant by edict; Concept of “Christian slave”: Humble; obedient; loyal; educated or not; skilled or not; socially ostracized (thinking about Roman or Hebrew societies); servant’s heart; The thought of slaves first brings to mind those victims of slavery as practiced in Africa, Europe and America during the 16th-19th centuries. Christian slaves are perceived as not having the freedom to think and act as they will or desire todo. This lack of personal freedom as viewed in American society is something contradictory to our perception of the concept of the American Constitution and Bill of Rights. On the continuum between Me and Christ, I believe I am at the mid point, the 50-yard line. I have a desire to be completely committed to Christ, but I am also a creature of comfort. Changing my nature quickly pulls me out of my comfort zone and requires significant changes to my daily routine. Changes I need to make to be more like Jesus wants me to be involved discipline, commitment and perseverance. I tend to run hot and cold, enthusiastic one minute and lethargic the next. This wavering pertains not only to my spiritual life but also to my physical and social lives. The implications of the truth that I have been purchased by God stem from the contradiction between the concepts of freedom and liberty at one end of the spectrum and bondage and servant hood at the other. It is a call to me to move my personal frame of mind to servanthood obedience to Christ. When Christ says “Follow Me” He is saying “Change your way of thinking, your concept of life as a free American. Pick up your cross (your mission in life) and be My disciple to others.” Guarding myself against viewing my relationship with Christ as another item on my schedule requires I first adjust my schedule to that of a disciple of Christ. That includes daily prayer, Bible study, and fellowship with other followers, and daily conversation with whomever God puts in my presence about the wonders of who God is and what He has done in my life. These need to be accomplished in addition to my calling to be a gofer/chauffeur for my wife.