FREE SLAVES

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In Christ, Mark

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The scriptures. May God bless the reading of His holy word.

Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.

Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.

1 Corinthians 7:20-24

This ends today’s reading from God's holy word. Thanks be to God.

Slavery seems to have been around since the dawn of mankind. Certainly we know it existed during biblical times because there are many references to it. There’s no question it was a part of the culture then and this has carried on for the ages, even to present times. Yes, I said it. Slavery is still happening in our world. It’s just not out in the open like it has been through its history.

This is why the scriptures are still as relevant today as they were at the times they were written. When we read the words from the Apostle Paul directed towards the Corinthian church, we can also read them in the context of our modern times. And as we see in our passage today, Paul uses the matter of being enslaved in literal and figurative forms, applying it to the world and Christianity. Let’s look again at his words here:

Each person should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.

Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person; similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings. Brothers and sisters, each person, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation they were in when God called them.  1 Corinthians 7:20-24

Here Paul presents an oxymoron in regard to how the matter of slavery is applied to Christian belief for Jesus followers are free slaves and this is counterintuitive to the way the Lord sees slavery.

From a worldview, slaves are far from free. In fact, the mere fact that someone is a slave to a master removes freedom from the equation.

Slaves serve their masters. Period. They don’t dictate anything to their owners. Rather, they are fully expected to carry out the will of those who possess them.

Slaves also have no rights. Becoming enslaved means surrendering everything including control of their lives.

Becoming a Christian changes things and Paul tells us how in two different perspectives using the matter of slavery, one literal and the other figurative.

First, a person who is really a slave by worldly measures becomes free when they choose to believe in Jesus. They become free slaves.

Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so. For the one who was a slave when called to faith in the Lord is the Lord’s freed person.

Note here that Paul isn’t advocating for slavery. If the slave has a chance to become free from their earthly master then they are to do it. But if they are unable to find liberation, Paul encourages the slave to not be troubled.

Why?

Because when a person chooses to receive Jesus as their personal Savior, they are free spiritually. Through their faith in Christ, they are a person who has been freed by the Lord. Here’s how Jesus put it:

“...if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” John 8:36

Free in Christ Jesus. That’s what happens to anyone who places their hope and trust in Him for salvation. Free from worry because Jesus is with you and for you. Free from fear of dying because of the promise of eternal life. Free from wondering what the future holds because your future is set and secure.

But here’s the thing. People of the world who think they are free become slaves when they accept Christ. They become free slaves.

“...similarly, the one who was free when called is Christ’s slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of human beings.”  

When a person accepts Jesus’ offer of salvation, they choose to allow Him to rule and reign over them, to be their Master. They trade out their worldly freedom with its “anything goes” motif and exchange it for the rigidity of living in righteousness while modeling the life of their Master and allowing Him to dictate things. Rather than becoming slaves of human beings, Christians become the free slave of a Jesus who bought them with a price, His very own life.

Friends, the Son has set us free from the death penalty of sin through His crucifixion and subsequent resurrection. He has called us into a better life in and through Him. As we begin the reflective period of Lent and the run up to Good Friday and then Easter Sunday, let us give thanks for all that Jesus did for us to make us the free slaves that we are.

Amen.

In Christ,

Mark

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