Are You Free, a Slave, or a Servant?

[fixit]

In answer to the original question, yes on all counts. Scripture spells out each one, and each makes sense in their proper context.

[Messy bear]

We are both free and in bondage. Both free in Christ and a slave to the flesh that trips us up every day.
We are servants to our fellow man

[fixit]

Well said.... Of course, knowing it and doing it is where the work begins!

[Wayne Smith]

I am a servant of Jesus Christ but also a friend and He is my savior.

If you look at the Old Testament and all the tithes and offerings that was required (remember, they were a theocracy, so all the offerings and tithes went to run the government and the Church) the total was very close to 50% of the total income. If you add the taxes we pay and the tithe it isn't greatly different. And we have a lot more old people to support than they did, too.

[Kosh75287]

“Honor the emperor”. I feel I have a vested interest in this country and the moron who is occupying the Presidents seat seems to be destroying my country. How can I stand up for what’s right and honor the emperor when the two conflict?

Support the CONSTITUTION, and you will, in so doing, support the country. Robin Williams REALLY said it all in the movie "Man of the Country", when he said "Politicians, like diapers, should be changed often and repeatedly, and for many of the same reasons".

[Char-Gar]

Christianity thrives best when it is unpopular or even persecuted. American churches contain many "pew polishers" who only polish pews with the backsides. There are precious few real disciples among them. When times get difficult, they disappear. Many bemoan the diminishing number that attend churches in America but I do not. With Christianity becoming unpopular in America, there is a cleansing taking place in churches.

[sparky45]

Interesting viewpoint C-G; I tend to agree. For over two years now my wife and I have missed going to Church (health reasons, wife has advanced Parkinson's) and the Church as a whole has gone down in membership that participates in the Services. We have a Minister that is retirement age and now "out and about" within the community (she has visited at out house ~ 4 times) in the last two years. There is a Facebook page that displays each Sunday's Sermon, but I have stopped my Facebook identity so I only occasionally see the Service via text service. We have sketchy internet (less than 4000 live in my county). I feel that when it comes to crunch time, the Church WILL become more active, at least I hope so.