Skip to content

Add your phone number?

Optional. Nothing is sent unless you choose it.
The Historic Faith
Sign in

Jumpstarter 9 of 10

Ideas to help restart your discussion
Romans Commentary Chapters 1-8  /  Romans 6:16-23 Being Slaves of Christ Leads to Life  /  Discussion Questions
All Questions
Question 9
Origen says serving the Lord means not serving money, lust, pleasure, or anything else, because God “demands exclusive devotion”; what rival “master” competes most for your obedience, and what concrete rearrangements (time, digital life, possessions, career goals) would demonstrate exclusive devotion?
Another way to ask: What “master” competes most with God for your loyalty (money, pleasure, lust, success, or something else)? What clear changes to your time, digital habits, possessions, or goals would show God comes first?

Direct Answer According to the transcript, serving the Lord means refusing all rival masters—money, lust, pleasure, or “anything else of this world”—because God requires exclusive devotion. Concrete rearrangements would be whatever clearly shows you are not serving those rivals but are obeying Christ as your only Master.

Support from Transcript:

  • Romans 12:11 includes: “Serve the Lord.”
  • Jesus’ principle is cited: “No man can serve two masters” (Matt. 6:24).
  • Origen’s explanation is specific: serving the Lord means we “do not serve money, lust, pleasure, or anything else of this world.”
  • The teacher concludes: “Our God is a God who demands exclusive devotion.”
  • The surrounding commands show what service looks like in practice: diligence (no sloth), fervency, perseverance in prayer, supplying needs, pursuing hospitality, blessing persecutors.
Discussion Follow-ups Which “master” most subtly demands your time and attention? If someone audited your schedule and spending, what would they conclude about who you serve?

Jumpstarter 9 of 10
Back Questions Next