Easter Devotional - Day 23
"Slaves, you must obey your earthly masters. Show them great respect and be as loyal to them as you are to Christ. Try to please them at all times, and not just when you think they are watching. You are slaves of Christ, so with your whole heart you must do what God wants you to do. Gladly serve your masters, as though they were the Lord himself, and not simply people." Ephesians 6:5-7
Slavery in New Testament times was somewhat different than slavery as we picture it. Slaves had more rights and opportunities than in recent history. They were normally slaves for a specific period of time, more along the lines of indentured servants than slaves. They could gain property and earn an income. They could marry. They could free themselves. Slavery was then a matter of economics without the overtones of racism. Even so, slaves were still slaves. They were required to do their master's bidding under threat of physical punishment. They were property, even if for a limited time.
Slavery was no life of ease. It was not a station to prize or seek. Many did turn to slavery to pay off debts, but only as a last resort akin to bankruptcy. People could be forced to sell their children into slavery in repayment of a debt. Some indeed chose to remain slaves after fulfilling their term of service. Slavery could be the best of one's options in certain circumstances, but it was still a less than ideal life.
It seems a pity that neither Jesus nor Paul spoke out against slavery. It seems it must have been an oversight that they did not demand that slavery cease to exist. Perhaps that was because it was a way for the poor to earn their keep, rather than a systemic means of denigrating a class of people. Be that as it may be, rather than speak out against slavery as an institution and argue for rights and freedoms, Paul spoke to the question of responsibility. It seems he is perhaps at odds with himself when to the Galatians he states that in Christ there is no distinction along the lines of gender, race, or freedom. He says enough in Galatians that we might recognize a higher ideal. Yet here his concern is not with our rights or the ideals of equality. His concern is with our responsibilities.
Our own society is greatly concerned with individual freedom, individual rights, and individual wealth. We are caught up in the drive to make our own way according to the opportunities around us and the rights we take for granted. Paul is less concerned with rights or even with release from slavery, persecution, and oppression. He did not write in a vacuum, but from the experience of oppression and persecution. He is still much more concerned with how we face the difficulties of life that arise from our station and relationship with others.
Slavery was not his concern. Oppression was not his concern. Freedom from the dictates of others was not his concern. After all is said and done, he considers that we are all slaves, anyway. We are not truly free, regardless of our status or role in society. In Christ there is no distinction, specifically because we are all slaves! Slavery is not something to escape; it is rather a hallmark of our very identity and relationship to God. While the enslavement of others is contrary to our equality before Christ Jesus, that equality is defined by our slavery to Christ Jesus as servants of the Almighty.
In Christ, we are indeed free—free to serve others beneath the banner of God's love.
Determine where it is you may be struggling with a servant attitude, and give that up to God.
"Lord, help me see myself primarily as your servant and my work as opportunity to serve you."
—©Copyright 2009 Christopher B. Harbin
http://www.sermonsearch.com/contributors/104427/christopher-harbin/
My latest book can be found at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1521240329/
Slavery in New Testament times was somewhat different than slavery as we picture it. Slaves had more rights and opportunities than in recent history. They were normally slaves for a specific period of time, more along the lines of indentured servants than slaves. They could gain property and earn an income. They could marry. They could free themselves. Slavery was then a matter of economics without the overtones of racism. Even so, slaves were still slaves. They were required to do their master's bidding under threat of physical punishment. They were property, even if for a limited time.
Slavery was no life of ease. It was not a station to prize or seek. Many did turn to slavery to pay off debts, but only as a last resort akin to bankruptcy. People could be forced to sell their children into slavery in repayment of a debt. Some indeed chose to remain slaves after fulfilling their term of service. Slavery could be the best of one's options in certain circumstances, but it was still a less than ideal life.
It seems a pity that neither Jesus nor Paul spoke out against slavery. It seems it must have been an oversight that they did not demand that slavery cease to exist. Perhaps that was because it was a way for the poor to earn their keep, rather than a systemic means of denigrating a class of people. Be that as it may be, rather than speak out against slavery as an institution and argue for rights and freedoms, Paul spoke to the question of responsibility. It seems he is perhaps at odds with himself when to the Galatians he states that in Christ there is no distinction along the lines of gender, race, or freedom. He says enough in Galatians that we might recognize a higher ideal. Yet here his concern is not with our rights or the ideals of equality. His concern is with our responsibilities.
Our own society is greatly concerned with individual freedom, individual rights, and individual wealth. We are caught up in the drive to make our own way according to the opportunities around us and the rights we take for granted. Paul is less concerned with rights or even with release from slavery, persecution, and oppression. He did not write in a vacuum, but from the experience of oppression and persecution. He is still much more concerned with how we face the difficulties of life that arise from our station and relationship with others.
Slavery was not his concern. Oppression was not his concern. Freedom from the dictates of others was not his concern. After all is said and done, he considers that we are all slaves, anyway. We are not truly free, regardless of our status or role in society. In Christ there is no distinction, specifically because we are all slaves! Slavery is not something to escape; it is rather a hallmark of our very identity and relationship to God. While the enslavement of others is contrary to our equality before Christ Jesus, that equality is defined by our slavery to Christ Jesus as servants of the Almighty.
In Christ, we are indeed free—free to serve others beneath the banner of God's love.
Determine where it is you may be struggling with a servant attitude, and give that up to God.
"Lord, help me see myself primarily as your servant and my work as opportunity to serve you."
—©Copyright 2009 Christopher B. Harbin
http://www.sermonsearch.com/contributors/104427/christopher-harbin/
My latest book can be found at: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1521240329/
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