This may sound like another unusual question, yet it is highly relevant to the Christian life. Scripture repeatedly uses the language of the master-and-slave relationship to describe our relationship with Christ.

It is about absolute trust, alongside a covenantal duty of care.

A treasured slave – someone of great value to the Master.

Purchased with a Price

As followes of Christ, it’s not simply that we have been purchased with an infinite price, 1 Corinthians 6:19,20, the Master personally knows us.

We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, Ephesians 2:10.

Christ did not just rescue us from something – He calls us into something, for there is a purpose in our redemption.

We are part of God’s eternal plan.

Knows God’s Sovereignty

A faithful slave is one who understands that God chose us from before the foundation of the earth, Ephesians 1:4, – not as the result of any personal achievement.

God is sovereign in all things, and we know that He causes all things to work together for good for those who love God. Those who are called according to His purpose, Romans 8:28.

The faithful slave learns to recognize that God is at work in all circumstances, tests, or fiery trials. What others may intend for evil, God uses for good, Genesis 50:20.

Well Done, Faithful and Trusted Slave

It is a position of privilege, reward and responsibility.

Jesus told a parable about a master putting a faithful and sensible slave in charge of his household to give them their food at the proper time.

Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes. He will put him in charge of all his possessions, Matthew 24:45-47.

Jesus also used this theme in the parable of the talents. A master entrusted his possessions to his slaves before leaving on a journey. When he returned, he asked each to give an account of what they had done in his absence.

Two of the slaves were praised, for they proved to be faithful and trustworthy.

The third slave was seen as worthless because he failed to honour his master with what had been entrusted to him.

Followers of Christ need to be faithful in the small things when no one is watching, for faithfulness precedes being entrusted with what is greater.

So, what then are the qualities of a faithful slave?

The Hidden Mystery

There are mysteries that the faithful slave is called to understand and make known to others.

The greatest mystery being that God loved us so much He gave His only Son to die in our place, John 3:16.

Those who accept what Christ accomplished at Calvary are rescued from the domain of darkness and transferred to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, Colossians 1:13,14.

Jew and Gentile alike become fellow-heirs and members of the body of Christ, Ephesians 3:5.

The faithful slave therefore learns to live from an understanding that this life is part of something far greater than what we presently see or experience.

Knows the Heart

The faithful slave seeks to know the heart of the Master.

He lives in the presence of the Master and does not merely know about Him but is dedicated to ‘Knowing Him’ in a unique relationship.

He learns to speak and act in accordance with the character, purpose and desire of the One he serves.

Power and Authority of the Master

The Good Master has a purpose for those entrusted to him – we are His ambassadors.

An ambassador does not speak for himself – he represents the One who sent him. The followers of Christ are commissioned to represent Him, 2 Corinthians 5:20.

So, the true slave operates in the power and authority of the Master.

Spiritual authority is never a source of personal pride, for the faithful slave becomes increasingly aware of the responsibility that accompanies that power and authority and is humbled by it. As the Apostle Paul demonstrated throughout his ministry.

Values Character

Both the Master and the faithful slave value character above position.

Faithfulness is therefore not simply an outward performance. It is an inner life that is increasingly changed to align with the character of the Master.

• A life that reflects what is taking place within
• Goals that are the Master’s goals.

Ambitions are surrendered to the purpose of the Master, for the Master’s glory.

It is not about losing your identity but discovering who you are created to be in Christ.

Remains Loyal

The faithful slave remains loyal through changing seasons, for the Christian walk is a journey.

A journey of overcoming and maturing into the measure of the stature which belongs to the fulness of Christ, Ephesians 4:13.

This is where the gift of free will becomes significant. We can choose the depth of our:

•  Obedience
• Surrender
• Increasing intimacy with the Master.

We are redeemed to serve the living God and be part of all that He is.

Slave to Friend

Something remarkable happens in the relationship between the Good Master and His slave, for we are far more than a purchased slave, carrying out instructions.

Jesus said: If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our abode with him, John 14:23.

Then Jesus takes the relationship even deeper. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you slaves, for the slave does not know what his master is doing. But I have called you friends, John 15:14, 15.

Jesus invites His followers into the knowledge of His:

• Heart
• Purpose
• Work.

A love relationship that deepens into:

• Redeemed son and heir, Galatians 4:6,7.
• Treasured slave
• Faithful steward
• Friend
• One with Him, John 17:21-23.

We move from simply being under His authority to experiencing the intimacy of friendship with Him.

God’s Own Possession

The Master, kurios, slave, doulos, relationship is about realizing: You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation. A people for God’s own possession, 1 Peter 2:9.

An intimate and trusted relationship that stretches into eternity.

Belonging to the family of God is not the end of the story, It is just the beginning.

The True Value of a Faithful Slave

The true value of a faithful slave is not found in what the slave does for the Master, but in what the Master is willing to entrust to the faithful slave.

It’s all about the Master Himself.

May we be faithful until we hear the words: Well done, good and faithful slave. You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Enter into the joy of your master, Matthew 25:21.

Final Word

The final word comes from the Lord’s instructions to Israel, Deuteronomy 11:13, and provides a beautiful picture of the heart of a faithful slave. One who:

• Loves his Master
• Follows his Master
• Fears his Master
• Keeps His commandments to love God and one another
• Yearns to hear his Master’s voice
• Serves Him in undivided loyalty
• Clings to Him on total trust.

That is the true heart of a faithful slave.

 Not merely one who works for the Master, but one who knows the Master, loves the Master, trusts the Master, and is willing to be entrusted by the Master, the great I Am that I Am, Exodus 3:14.

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Dr. Wendy is a servant of the Lord. Her desire is to help believers grow in their understanding of Scripture and walk confidently with Christ in these end-time days.

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