The Greek word "doulos" is often translated servant. It actually means slave. We cannot talk about serving Christ unless we also talk about the slave who is doing the serving. Here are a few thoughts.

The Slave has been Purchased.

• I Corinthians 6:19-20 You are not free to do just what you want to do. Christ purchased you with His blood and has the right to lead your life. He is the Lord.
  > See Matthew 16:24-26
• Romans 6:17-18 You previously were slaves to sin. Sin controlled you. Now you are free from sin so that you can serve Christ; to serve righteousness.
  > See John 8:30-32, 34, 36.

The Slave wants to Please His Master.

• Il Corinthians 5:14-15 Christ's love is what controls us as His slaves. We are no longer living to please ourselves. Rather, we are living to please Him who loved us and gave Himself for us.
  > See Hebrews 11:6; Ephesians 5:1-2; Romans 15:1-3.
• Philippians 2:3-8 Christ's slaves must remember that their master became a slave Himself!
  There is no room for pride and self-will as a slave of Christ. Meekness and humility are the marks of a true Christ-follower.
  > See Matthew 5:3, 5; Luke 6:46; John 14:15; Il Timothy 2:24-26.

The Slave Places Himself Alongside Other Slaves.

• John 13:12-17 have to care for one another. The world is no longer our home. We cannot expect the world to care for us.
  > See Matthew 18:1-6, 10-20; 23:1-12 John 17:1-26.
• Philippians 2:14-16 We must work together to train and build up each other as a work-force in this world; to shine the light of Christ in this dark world.
  > II Corinthians 4:5-6 cp. Matthew 5:14 is plural. "The light" is singular).
  > Romans 12:1 ("Bodies" is plural. "A living sacrifice" is singular).
  > Romans 12:2-11 (vs. 11 "serving" is same root word for "slave");
  > II Timothy 2:22; John 13:34-35.