After seeing a recent posting on Q&A, I read 2 Tim 2 again and it got me thinking. Is Timothy a bond servant of God being a pastor? Is it correct to say not all believers are bond servants of God? Is there a difference between servants and bond servants? Is there a special calling? What happens to servants? Thanks so much. My learning has sped up so much reading the Q&A and your articles!
In the Biblical sense, a bond servant is one who has voluntarily entered into a lifetime of service to his master. This is the kind of relationship Paul was advocating in Romans 12:1-2 when he said to present our bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, and to stop being conformed to the patterns of this world but to be transformed by the renewing of our mind instead.
It means we put all our plans for our life aside and focus instead on fulfilling His plans for us. It is correct to say that not all believers are bond servants although becoming one is a personal choice that any believer can make at any time.
Both servants and bond servants are saved. The difference is in the rewards they will receive.