Who we are no matter the circumstances

Scripture Read: Titus 2:9-10 Slaves are to be subject to their own masters in everything, to do what is wanted and not talk back, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, in order to bring credit to the teaching of God our Savior in everything.

Application: Does God think slavery is alright? When we read passages like this it is quite normal to ask that kind of question due to the silence about the topic. Yet, if we would allow ourselves to understand the context and the real goal of our Lord we would not struggle so much. There is a bigger picture here that You want us to see Lord … it is a key to keeping our focus on You and not our circumstances.

“Bring Credit”  κοσμέω kosméō; Adorning, order - To order, set in order - To adorn, garnish, decorate the sepulchers with garlands and flowers or by adding columns or other ornaments - It was a custom among the Greeks as well as the Jews not only to erect, but also to repair and adorn the monuments of those who had merited them or who had suffered an undeserved death. Metaphorically to honor, dignify (1 Tim. 2:9, “In like manner also, that women adorn themselves”; Titus 2:10; 1 Pet. 3:5; Rev. 21:2, 19; Sept.: Jer. 4:30; Ezek. 16:11). This may refer to the internal adorning of the soul, but the external appearance is also implied.^[1]

God removes every excuse we have to not behave Christ like. Consider what is being stated – Paul is ignoring the circumstance of the individual here – which is amazing. Every believer I know is totally against slavery and considers it wrong. But instead of talking to a slave and telling him how unfair life is or explaining that God understands his plight and will deliver him – Paul holds that person to the same level as any other believer. That does not mean that God condones slavery, what God tolerates is very different than what He approves of. The point that is so strong to me is that no matter the circumstance we find ourselves in our behavior should continue to reflect Christ. Whether we are the king, or a slave, a captor or the captive – we should live in such a way that those watching us will see Christ. This is how inmates and those that guard them can still behave as brothers, which astounds the world! When we show in our life that Jesus has made a difference in who we are – no matter the circumstance – this affirms, or as stated here in Titus, brings honor/dignity to the teaching of our Lord. Don’t we owe Him this? What good is all the talk we do to others about Him if our life does not show that what He taught us changed us? Father – enable us to honor Your teachings by the way we live!

* Meditation Questions: Do I allow circumstances to control my character? Can I appreciate God in difficult times as well as good times? How much of our teaching about the Lord is in word versus in life?

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Zodhiates, S. (2000). The complete word study dictionary : New Testament (electronic ed.). Chattanooga, TN: AMG Publishers.