James, a bond-servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad, greetings. James 1:1 (NASB)
James refers to himself as a bond-servant of God. To understand what a bond-servant is, we read Ex.21:1-6. Here, a bond-servant was one who, by his own choice, remained with his master. No matter what the reason for his servitude, during the year of jubilee, he was to be freed. Perhaps he learned a dependence on the master. Perhaps he was cared for and sincerely loved by the master. When you truly serve someone, a genuine love is formed between the two of you.
At the time, of the year of jubilee, the servant was a free man but if he loved his master and wanted to remain with him, if that was the case, he was brought to God (dedication) and taken to a door or post where his ear was pierced with an awl (this was no small hole). Most likely, an earring was inserted to keep the ear open and served as a visible sign to others that he served, not out of bondage, but rather through love and a relationship, the one who previously owned him.
James expresses his love for God in this way. Although he deserves to be a slave, he chooses rather to be a bond-servant.
How can people from afar see that you are a bond-servant of God? Have you been taken to the post and pierced with an awl? Do you wear the earring of a bond-servant, showing that you love the Master?
