A Look At Two Kinds Of Slaves
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles
Back in 1960, I viewed an interesting movie starring Kirk Douglas. In the movie, Douglas played a historical figure named Spartacus. Historians say that he was likely a Roman soldier who deserted, was recaptured, and then sold into slavery as a gladiator.
While at the gladiatorial school at Capua (see article), Spartacus, along with 70 followers, led a rebellion. This act of defiance eventually attracted a massive number of slaves, growing to an estimated 120,000. Initially, Spartacus’ slave army enjoyed spectacular victories. But they were eventually defeated, and the captured rebels were crucified along the road to Rome.
The life of the apostle Paul was in great contrast to the life of Spartacus. Saul of Tarsus (as Paul was also known) was born a free man (Acts 22:28 KJV), and yet was destined to become a slave (bond-servant – Philippians 1:1 NASB). Acts 9:1-19 records the fateful day when Saul came face to face with the Savior he sought to oppose. From that time on, he served Jesus wholeheartedly (Acts 9:20-31).
Spartacus was forced to serve a Roman taskmaster. But Paul, in response to God’s grace, voluntarily became a slave to Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 9:19; cf. Gal. 5:13).
In the heart of the Christian, rages a spiritual war between sin and righteousness (Ephesians 6:12-14). We can obey the slave-master of sin (Romans 6:16; John 8:34), or we can say yes to the God of grace who has made us free (Romans 6:17) .
Our greatest liberty lies in willingly serving the One who created and redeemed us (Hebrews 9:11-12; cf. Ephesians 1:5-7).