In Barclay’s commentary on The Letters of James and Peter, four things are listed as involved in the position of a Christian bond-slave: (1) inalienably possessed by God; (2) unqualifiedly at God’s disposal; (3) unquestioningly obeys God; and (4) constantly in God’s service. Such observations do not mean that Paul and other Christians “serve” God against their own wills. You will remember that a slave happy in his master’s service could voluntarily be bound to that master for life. The Christian
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