From Glory to Slavery

Too often we credit ourselves with too much and forget the hands of those who helped us get back up. We attribute our success to hard work, sweat, struggles and even persistence. During these times we forget that the main reason we have succeeded was through Christ's blessings. In Saint Paul’s greeting to the Romans, he introduces himself as a servant, thus bridging the gap between him and his audience. He does not pompously and pretentiously describe himself as a chosen elect, but lowers his stature in order to draw near to his audience. At times we ignorantly credit ourselves with too much and discredit our Creator for His numerous blessings.

From its origin, the word servant or servus in Latin is translated as slave. Let’s take two steps back and discuss St.Paul’s origin. He was Roman citizen, born to Hebrews, a Pharisee who well versed in the Torah and Hebrew traditions… one beyond his years. He was a strong leader and had many followers who he himself zealously led to destroy the early Christian movement. As one can see, he was highly educated and a man with stature. However, in his opening letter he defines himself as a slave.

Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle...(Romans 1:1) He does not credit himself, rather, he reminds himself and his audience that he is a slave… he chooses to equate himself to nothing. We too must bridge the gap in our service. In order to better understand those whom we serve, we must present ourselves as their equal and not their superior. For that same reason, Christ himself chose to take our nature and as a creator, became man to teach us the new laws and commandments. He took our flesh, felt the pains of loss (Lazarus), was despised and rejected by His creation, and tasted death on the cross… all for my sake.

Likewise, in our service we should constantly remind ourselves that we are mere slaves and not superiors. We shouldn't expect praise even when it is due and we shouldn't be conducting our services to appeal to others. We must remember that as a slave toils for his master, and we too must toil for Christ. We must strip the connotations of honor, and put on the robes of humility. So that “I may be encouraged together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me” (Romans 1:12).