“You’re gonna have to serve somebody

Well it may be the devil or it may be the Lord

But you’re gonna have to serve somebody.”

Thus, Bob Dylan proclaimed the truth in his first Grammy award-winning song “Gotta Serve Somebody.”

Human beings were created to serve God’s purpose. (Gen. 1:26-28)

When Adam sinned and mankind fell, we humans did not get free from serving. Rather, we became slaves of a new master, the devil.

Through the atoning death and victorious resurrection of Jesus, God our Father has delivered us from bondage so we can serve as sons and daughters in the good kingdom of Jesus the Son. (Col. 1:12-14)

Just how wonderful it is to be serving King Jesus came home to me in the spring of 2003, a difficult time in my life.

As Easter approached, I began to consider again Paul’s message in Romans 5 and 6 concerning the victory that Christ had won in his death and resurrection, a victory that, according to Paul, provides the way of victory for God’s people.

During the sermon that Easter, I read Romans 6 to the church. As I read, words from verse 14 caught my attention. “… We are not under law, but under grace,” Paul had written.

Over the next few days that statement kept popping up in my mind. I would think about it for a bit and then turn my mind to other things.

On Wednesday morning, I was driving northeast on US 68 on the other side of Paris when, the implications of Paul’s words — “I am not under law, I am under grace!”— suddenly struck me, moving from my head to my heart.

Immediately joy erupted in me. The morning spring sunlight seemed to be burst on the fields, fences and trees. Grass and leaves seemed to sparkle in rich, brilliant greens. Spring had awakened the land and spring had come to me!

I wanted to get out of the car, jump a fence and frolic in the fields! Such delight! Such freedom! Such hope!

By God’s grace, we who confess Jesus to be our Lord are saved from slavery. We are no longer under the dominion of death (Rom. 5:21; 6:9-11), no longer under the dominion of sin (Rom 6:14), nor even under the dominion of God’s good and holy law (Rom. 6:14).

When we receive Jesus, the embodiment of Grace and Truth (John 1:14, 17b-18), as Lord and King, we are brought under the dominion of grace and the process begins by which we can be restored to our high calling —freed to serve the good God who created us and redeemed us.

By Grace we are saved — rescued, kept safe and preserved (Eph. 2:8).

Grace enables us to believe the Good News about King Jesus (Acts 18:27).

Grace teaches and trains us how to live (Titus 2:11-12).

Grace restores us, confirms us, strengthens us, and establishes us (1 Peter 5:10).

Grace is a realm in which we who are in Christ stand (Rom. 5:1-5).

Grace sits on the throne of the universe and we are exhorted to come boldly to His Grace in order to receive mercy and find grace (Heb. 4:16).

What truly Good News! We have the privilege of serving King Jesus who is Grace.

Steve Humble has been an elder at Winchester Covenant Church since its beginning in 1991. He can be reached at (859) 771-7138 or by email at steve.humble@twc.com.