The Best Form of Slavery

John Piper
He who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord. Likewise he who was
free when called is a bondservant of Christ. (1 Corinthians 7:22)
I would have expected Paul to switch the places of Lord and Christ.
He correlates our liberation with Jesus being our Master (a freedman of the Lord). And he
correlates our new slavery with Jesus being our Messiah (a slave of Christ). But in fact the
Messiah came to liberate his people from their captors; and masters take control of peoples
lives.
Why does he say it this way? Suggestion: The switch has two effects on our new liberty and two
effects on our new slavery.
In calling us the liberated of the Lord, he secures and limits our new liberty:
1.
2.

His lordship is over all other lords; so our liberation is uncontested secure.
But, free from all other lords, we are not free from him. Our freedom is mercifully
limited.
In calling us the slaves of Christ, he looses and sweetens our slavery:

1.

The Messiah lays claim on his own to bring them from the confines of captivity into the
open spaces of peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end
(Isaiah 9:7).

2.

And he makes them his own to give them the sweetest joy. With honey from the rock I
would satisfy you (Psalm 81:16). And that Rock is Christ.