“James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ...” (James 1:1 NASB)
In many of the New Testament epistles, the disciples introduce themselves as bond-servants. This antiquated term is unfamiliar to most of us. The only context that I have heard it used is by nurses from India. Indian nursing schools require students to make a two-year commitment to work for the training hospital after they graduate. The nurses are paid a stipend during this time, and they gain work experience before they set out on their own. However, a nurse has the option of paying off the ‘bond’ early and leaving for a higher-paying job.
Many of the disciples who were directly trained by Christ committed their lives as bond-servants. Christ had invested in them, and now they were glad to serve Him in return. This is not a relationship based on bondage, oppression, obligation, or debt. Those who identify themselves as bond-servants of Christ rejoice in the opportunity to be of use to God. They are not concerned about better opportunities or self-promotion. Instead, they have a single goal--to fulfill God’s purpose through His power flowing through them.
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