SATURDAY August 21, 2021

Christian Duties

Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.
Ephesians 6:5-8

The Apostle Paul taught about relationships, husbands and wives, fathers not provoking their children, and then children obeying their parents. Now Paul turned his teaching to a subject that was not so popular––employers and employees.

During the time Paul wrote his Epistle, Rome ruled the world. The Romans enslaved about 5 million people. These men, women and children were owned by the Roman Empire. However, Roman citizens living in an affluent Roman society were encouraged to seek freedom from labor. It was considered below their dignity to work. This concept led to the expansion of slavery.

Rome enslaved many different people during their conquests. Although many were unskilled, others were of high class––doctors, teachers, artists, and even those who held high level political positions. Anyone found guilty of a crime was enslaved. A family in need of money would sell a family member as a slave. This was an accepted form of credit.

A slave became the sole property of his master. He could either be treated as one of the household with privileges or he could be brutally beaten, abused and killed. His master held the power of life and death. A slave who tried to run away, if caught, they were branded for life on their forehead with the letter “F” which stood for fugitive.

Paul spoke to Christians both slave and free. He biblically exhorted them on their duties; they should be obedient to their master. Consider this. Paul referred to himself as a slave of Jesus Christ. Do you consider yourself to be a slave of Jesus Christ willing to do whatever He asks?

The only freedom that man ever has is when he becomes a slave to Jesus Christ.
~R.C. Sproul~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!