The word bondage is not usually used in a positive sense. In a democratic society, no one would willingly welcome restrictions on the rights and freedoms that every human being ought to enjoy. The idea of becoming someone’s servant or slave is especially disturbing in today’s world—something most people would rather not even imagine.

Yet the Christians of the New Testament era voluntarily gave up their freedom and chose to become servants. Authors of the New Testament such as the Apostle Paul, James, Peter, and Jude introduced themselves in their letters as servants (or slaves) of Christ. In the first-century Roman world, slaves were often regarded not as persons but as property completely subject to their masters. They possessed no social status, no rights, and little recognized value. In a sense, they were considered socially dead. Why, then, would the followers of Jesus willingly choose such a seemingly worthless position?

Although it was not common, there were situations in which life as a slave could be better than life as a free person. If a master was capable, wealthy, and exceptionally kind—and if the slave enjoyed a close relationship with that master—then being a slave could actually be desirable. It could be more comfortable, more secure, and even more liberating than living as a free person. Some slaves were even adopted by their masters and became heirs to their honor and wealth.

This is why the writers of the New Testament willingly became slaves. They had encountered a Master who was infinitely good: Jesus Christ. Through Him they received salvation and eternal life. Having experienced such grace, they could no longer insist on their own freedom before Him. They realized that living as Christ’s holy servant was far more meaningful and fulfilling than living as a free sinner.

I, too, desire to live as such a servant. Like them, I have met the Lord and have richly enjoyed the blessings that come from belonging to Him. Those blessings have never failed me, and I trust they never will. Above all, if He was willing to lay down His own life to save me, then He is surely a Master worthy of complete trust and wholehearted devotion. He is worthy of being followed, even as His servant.

I know very well what kind of life I would live if I insisted on my freedom apart from the Lord. Before I came to know Him, my life was sinful and without true value. If I were to leave Him now, I would simply return to that empty and fruitless way of living. Even today, the pleasures of a sinner’s freedom sometimes reach out with tempting hands. Yet I know that nothing in this world is more valuable than the grace I have received as a servant of Jesus. So once again, I resolve to place myself willingly within this beautiful bond—a beautiful captivity—and remain there.