Doulas

No, not those birthing coaches.

It's the Greek word for "slave," and it appears close to 150 times in the New Testament in reference to the believers relationship to Christ.

John MacArthur talked about this last night at the first session of the Truth and Life Conference over at Master's College.

In order to avoid "negative connotations" about the word "slave," 99% of our English Bibles translate all but one use of "doulas" as "servant" or "bondservant" and according to MacArthur, this results in a watered down understanding of the Lordship of Christ in relation to us.

He noted that many people in America of African descent have, by this time in history, only a historical memory of slavery, and very few actually have any direct connection to it. They are much further removed from the whole thing than the people in the first century. The use of the word meaning "slave" would have caused a much bigger response back then as opposed to now.

The Bible neither condones nor condemns slavery, it tells Christian slaves to act like Christians, and it tells Christian masters to act like Christians, and that's where it leaves us. But the picture of a slave-master relationship is quite possibly the best, and most perfect picture of our relationship to Christ. To be sure, Christ is also our Redeemer and Friend, but the idea of a slave master explores every reality of what it means to follow Christ.

He alone buys us, to him alone are we accountable for discipline and reward, he alone is responsible for our very being (Acts 17:28).

We are called to die to ourselves, to pick up our cross, and follow him. It's an intense calling, but one that is infinitely worth the cost. We are saved from sin and death, from eternal separation from God, and from eternal punishment for our sin. We look forward to spending our eternity in God's heaven, worshiping and praising him forevermore. And while we live, we have the honor and privilege of being slaves of the Most High.

MacArthur mentioned that it's been said that in the Roman Empire, the slaves of Ceasar were some of the proudest people in the empire. How much more then should we be proud to serve and follow Christ!