Commitment - Bonds

Greetings Dear Reader,

In the universe of Star Trek the race of Klingons are experts and insults.  Arguably the most intense insult one can level at a Klingon is “tokhe straav'” or “willing slave”.  We would call that individual a “bond slave” or one who has willingly bound their life to the servant of another.

We make commitments with legal standing.  Bonds are commitments that carry the force of law.  Breaking them has consequences beyond the social and spiritual ones.  In the ancient world servant could choose to become a Bond Servant when offered freedom.  They would then bind their lives to a household forever.  The Greek word for this is Doulos.  A ring in the ear of this willing slave told all who saw him that he was not for sale.

A financial bond is a promise to appear at trial when accused of a crime.  Our word is to be our bond and no other thing should be necessary.  Because we violate our commitments we have to offer assurance that we will do as we say.  Bonds should not be necessary in our world.  Our commitment should be enough.

A popular song from my youth said that the man wished   “…to know that I’m not shackled by forgotten words and bonds and ink stains that have dried upon some line…”  We avoid being bound to things when there are things to which I must be bound.

My word must be my bond.  I must be bound to Christ and his commands to love and peace.  I must give away my freedom to be his bond servant.  The world must know that I am not for sale.  I have been purchased, redeemed, set free, and then freely stepped back into the role of bond slave to Christ.  It is not logical but it is true that this is where true freedom lives.

Doulos – Kemper Crabb

You are my God

And I am your man

I will follow you

With the work of my hand

And the thoughts of my mind

And the love of my heart

If the world could know

If they could understand

Ah, the exquisite touch

Of the Creator's hand

Brings a blur to my eye

But makes my vision clear

Ring, rainbow ring

Encircles the throne

Fiery ring of love

Around your own

A golden ring to show

Just where I stand

A ring that binds my heart

Into your hand

And looking back across the years

I can see that you were constantly there

Constant creation

That’s what I am

As you are making me into your man

Here is my ear

Drive through the nail

The world will know

By the ring that I wear

That I am not for sale

For you are my God

And I am your man

Ring, rainbow ring

Encircles the throne

Fiery ring of love

Around your own

A golden ring to show

Just where I stand

A ring that binds my heart

Into your hand

For You are my God

And I am your man

Wishing you joy in the journey,

Aramis Thorn

Mat 13:52 So Jesus said to them, "That is why every writer who has become a disciple of Christ’s rule of the universe is like a home owner. He liberally hands out new and old things from his great treasure store.”

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