Ignore the circumstances and focus on the BIG picture

Scripture Read: 1 Timothy 6:1-2 All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against. ² Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren, but must serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. Teach and preach these principles

Application: The “bar” or standard of behavior for believers is always at the highest level and that should make a big difference in our lives. The world lives much of the time consumed with envy, worrying about what others have that they do not. In their zeal to create what they call a “level playing field” they lower the bar of expectations. The Lord does the very opposite. He calls us to always remember who we are and Who we represent. Some will read this passage and miss the whole point. They will think that God condones slavery just because He does not state something negative here. How sad, because if we would be students of scripture we would know better. The Word is clear that all men and women are created in His image and He sees them all as equals. 

However, for the most part, God has given man stewardship of this world, including how he treats his fellow man. Due to the fall, all of this stewardship has been affected and infected with sin. God could make us all robots and stop all of it. He has chosen a better path, a more courageous path, the path that only a Supreme God would make. He has allowed His creation the freedom of choice. With choice come consequences, good and bad. The reality is, man in a sinful state will continue to do evil to each other. Our Lord expects us to rely on Him through all of it and represent Him. He equips us with the power to do so and in passages such as these and others instructs us to do so. He knows there will be slaves in this fallen world, and encourages us to remain focused. Instead of pity parties and the demand that everyone act like a Christian, He expects His children to behave as Ambassadors for Him no matter their circumstances. He makes it clear here and in other scriptures He expects the same from any slave owner that is a believer. I realize that our initial response is – “Can a believer own a slave?”  I feel the same way, but that is not a question that you or I can answer. Each man must answer to God for his actions. Remember, slavery at this time was very different than much of the slavery in recent centuries. Some types of slaves were almost family. I don’t understand it, nor is it something I am comfortable with, but the real issue is to get the “bigger picture”. When is there a circumstance that relieves me of representing Christ? When I am attacked? When my family is attacked? When I am imprisoned wrongly? When I am kidnapped? When I am enslaved? To live the Christian life is impossible, THAT’S why it takes God to do it. The standard is so high, the expectations are so unrealistic in an evil world, that only a Holy Spirit controlled person can live up to it! Thanks be to God Who will help us to stand!

Meditation Questions: Do you believe every circumstance that has happened to you in your life was allowed by God? If not, what does that mean? If so, what does that mean? What about consequences from our own sin? If bad things happen to you or your family, who was the ultimate person on control? What does your answer show you about your faith? If nothing happens without God allowing it, how does that effect your faith? Can God be trusted? Why? Why not? If you decide it does not matter what happens in life you will represent Christ always, what must you do to live that?