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?
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