Newberg Slaves?

Women's Bible Fellowship has been studying the book of Romans these past couple months. It's been so good to read God's Word and go over some concepts, that if taken out of context can seem pretty strange. But then, this is the Bible we're talking about- and most of what's in there is strange. (I say this with utmost respect.) Today as we reviewed the themes of Romans we got to talking about the idea that we are to be either slaves to sin or slaves to Christ.

For most Americans the idea of slavery being a positive thing is pretty repulsive. We are independent, the land of the free, and the home of the "do what feels good" society. Why on earth would we want to be slaves to anything-or anyone....even if the "Master" is God?

I'd much rather be a Friend of God than a Slave of God. Come on, you know the song, "I am a friend of God, I am a friend of God, He calls me Friend." (demo and in worship ) It's a joyful song. A song that affirms our relationship with the Creator. It brings warm fuzzies about how we can talk and laugh and cry with our Abba. But Paul, that righteous Paul, he asks us to be Slaves. I know what he means, I get it. And I agree with him. But it brings me back to the thought that so much of what the Bible has to offer can be (AND IS) taken out of context by silly, selfish humans. We want the Bible to say what we want it to say. We read the passages and sing songs and hang banners that proclaim only what we want to hear.

So, I'm wondering, that sign in front of my church- NEWBERG FRIENDS. What if we changed it to read NEWBERG SLAVES. I wonder what kind of reaction that would get? I wonder what Christians would "get it" and which ones would be up in arms? I wonder what you think about being God's Slave?