. Who's slave are you? by James Smith There are two distinct classes of slaves in the world, and it is important to know to which we belong. The Apostle teaches us how to do this when he says, Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey, whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? Romans 6 16.

Who is your master? There are but two great masters in the world, and we all serve one or the other. Who, then, is your master? Is it Satan? If so, then sin is your service. You neglect what God requires, and you do what God forbids. You indulge the lusts of the flesh, enjoy the lust of the eye, and walk in the pride of life. If so, then the world is your home. Only give you enough of the world, and health and opportunity to enjoy it, and you need no more. You would rather have your portion in Paris than in paradise. If so, then hell will be your wages. For the wages of sin is death.

If you obey Satan, you love sin and live in its indulgence. You follow the multitude in the broad road that leads to destruction. You yield to the flesh and allow it to tyrannize over your conscience and affections. If you obey Satan, then you are his slaves. He works in you. He rules over you. He leads you captive at His will. You know nothing of liberty, but are tied and bound by the fetters of sin and chained with unbelief. You are the property of the devil. He dwells in you. He lays claim to you. He often appoints you to the most degrading services. You are His companion, gladly walking with Him in the broad way to eternal destruction. You are Satan's child, and to you the language of Jesus may be applied. You are of your Father the devil, and the lusts of your Father you will do.

Whose slave are you, Christ's or Satan's? To belong to both at the same time is impossible. Therefore Jesus said, You cannot serve both God and mammon. Who has our heart? What engages our thoughts most? Whom do we habitually aim to please? If Jesus is our master, then He will have our affections. Around Him our thoughts will gather, and our great aim and desire will be to please Him.

Let us then prove to whom we belong. Mere profession proves nothing, but obedience does. If the will of Jesus is our law, if the precepts of Jesus are our rule, if the smile of Jesus is highly prized by us, and if the approbation of Jesus is sought before anything else, then there can be little doubt but that Jesus is our Master.

How much then depends on the question, who is your master? How plain is the answer? You are slaves to the one whom you obey. All the slaves of Satan will at last be commanded to depart from the Savior into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his demons. All the slaves of Jesus will be invited by the all-glorious King to accompany Him and take possession of the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world.

Do not wonder, then, that we press home the question, Whose slave are you? Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey, whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? Romans 6.16.