A Slave of God

I am a slave of God.  We shy away from the concept, and understandably so, given the history of slavery here is the US.  I am one, however, and proud to declare it.  As a believer in Christ I have been paid for by Christ.  Thus, He owns me and I am His slave.  Paul, Timothy and James, the brother of Christ, all claimed it. 

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Phil 1:1 Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus:
To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the  overseers and deacons. (HCSB)  Also James 1:1 James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ:
To the 12 tribes in the Dispersion.Greetings. (HCSB)
 
We, as Gentiles who trust in Christ as our Savior, become Israelites through adoption by God. Hos. 2:23  I will say to Not My People: You are My people, and he will say: You are My God.  (HCSB)  We have become His chosen people and so are His slaves. God, Himself, declared that we, as Israelites are His slaves.  
 
Lev. 25:42 They are not to be sold as slaves,  because they are My slaves I brought out of the land of Egypt. (HCSB)     Also, Lev. 25:55 For the Israelites are My slaves. They are My slaves I brought out of the land of Egypt; I am the Lord your God. (HCSB)
 
In other translations the word servant is used.  Looking at the Hebrew Strong’s number 5650 and NIV G/K 6269, {ebed, the translation includes “bond-servant” and “slave”.  This indicates ownership by God Himself.   
 
This brings a truth of God’s consistency in both the old and new testaments.  In Leviticus God states that His chosen people are His slaves.  He claims perpetual ownership of His people. In the New Testament, in Philippians and James, Paul claims bondage to God through Christ for himself and Timothy as does James in his greeting.  Now through Christ I am in perpetual slavery to God.  I have been “bought at a price.” (1 Cor. 6:20 HCSB) I thank God that He loves me enough to purchase me forever.  Are you glad to be a slave of God?