The apostle Paul lived in a world of injustice, corruption, and cruelty. There were those who held power and abused it and those who were marginalized and mistreated. Sadly, when comparing our present injustices with biblical history, it would seem as though not enough progress has been made. Take slavery for example; despite our best global efforts, widespread slavery is still rampant, targeting society’s most vulnerable: the impoverished, often women and children. At first glance it seems as though not much has changed when it comes to the abuse of power, but as the apostle Paul made clear in his letters to fellow early church Christians, everything changes when believers are united by a bond of Christ’s selfless love.
Our faith in Jesus unites the haves and the have nots of society. The master and the servant are no longer in two opposing classes of superiors and subordinates. They are equals. They are brothers and sisters (Colosians 3:11). This radically counter-cultural view of one another is the work of the cross, where Jesus shed His blood to save us from sin and death. Through His sacrifice, we are freed from our hatred of one another.
We are challenged to no longer measure our treatment of others by the standard practices of our culture but rather to fix our gaze on Jesus. When we look at the way He loved, who He welcomed, how He served, what He taught and lived, we are empowered to treat all with respect and compassion—regardless of how much or how little power and authority they possess because we’ve all been given a seat at the table. At this great banquet Christ has prepared for us, equity is now possible. Compassion replaces cruelty. Love dethrones oppression. At this table, we are all equals. At this table, there is healing. At this table there is hope, real hope for a world torn apart by its mistreatment of one another.
Today, take a few minutes and pray against the injustices in our world today. Pray for modern slavery to be abolished and those in chains to be removed. While you are praying, ask God to show you where prejudice is keeping you from truly loving others. Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how you can treat others with compassion and kindness. After all, it’s our love of one another that makes Christ’s love known in the world.
Leave a Reply
51 thoughts on "Slaves and Masters"
❤️
Slaves and Masters. The podcast brought up employee and employer. We are not to think more highly of ourselves, yet the CEO to typical worker pay ratio has gone from 20:1 in 1950 to around 350:1 in 2022. The bible talks about the sin of greed and that we are to treat people fairly. How is this situation even possible and acceptable in our culture and society today? Why are profits thought to be more important than people?
.
We are called to look after and care for the poor, not create a situation where even the working class are now losing their homes and livelihood. Lord open our eyes to see what you see. Soften our hardened hearts to welcome and share God’s love to all.
So, so disappointed as I wrote a whole lot re this verse and subject yesterday morning, and I pressed the wrong button, yep you guessed it… it disappeared!
It’s a sadness to me because I couldn’t share with you..
.
BUT GOD.. I know sees and knows my heart..
It is well.❤️
“Everything changes when believers are united by a bond of Christ’s selfless love.” Such beautiful words. To live this way is the challenge. We don’t always like or agree with each other in the church, but we need to love each other in Christ.
Wow ❤️ Such powerful and beautiful words!
“Formerly he was useless, but now indeed useful”. This is the transformation power of the gospel to anyone, from the lowest of them all. “Formerly a slave, but now a beloved brother”.
@TRACI G: bless your meeting, I just want to tell you how wonderful you are.
@SHARON JG: praying for Tommy and his family, praise for the machine working.
@SEARCHING: for good long hours of sleep and no pain, hope your cousin is recovering well.
@MIA FAITH: the knowledge of God’s perfect will be revealed clearly for you, a manageable and smooth process ahead for prepping your home for sale.
Prayers against the rampant injustices we face in the last days, and modern slavery, human trafficking and any other hidden forms of dark captivity in our world, nations, community, neighborhood, school, and in our heart. I so appreciate the devotional asking us to search for the prejudice within ourselves, and ask the Holy Spirit to show us, and to forgive us and help us to put them aside.
Be blessed dear sisters.
I’m running out to meet Tanner’s very good friend for coffee. I will comment when I’m back.
❤❤ I know that was bittersweet! Hugs!
Good Morning..love all the thought provoking comments off the scriptures today. Basically the most important commandments…Love God, love people. ALL people. They will know us from our love and devotion to God! Amen.
I have noticed lately how people respond to individuals who are in a position of providing a service. Whether it is a waiter, a barista, someone checking you out at a grocery store, at a bank, and even on a phone call for help, people do not acknowledge them or ask how their day is going or thank them, We can do our part to show God’s love and kindness wherever we go. We are not masters but we can try to lord over people. I have been challenged to try to leave everyone I encounter feeling better when I walk away.
Yes, I know what you mean. I am amazed how people in those positions don’t even say hi anymore and barely acknowledge you! I was used to it up north, but now even in the southern friendly states I am noticing it more and more. Your right, it is OUR job to go the extra mile.
This made me think of Romans 12:3 which says not to think more highly of yourself.
Paul is in a stone cage and sleeps on the floor + likely wrote his letters on the floor. This is just my imagination.
I recently watched “City of Dreams”. Heart-wrenching movie. The last scene was so striking. They showed the house where all the travesties were happening, and they slowly panned out so you could see the houses next door, then the neighborhood… it was so disturbing that these things were happening right next door, and nobody knew. It makes me wonder what is happening right in my neighborhood. We truly must be more aware of the terrible things happening in our area, and what we can do to help. I do pray right now that God would send out His army of believers to help stop these terrible things from happening, that we would use our spiritual warfare to combat the evil in this world, that we would be bold in our lifestyle to show the world a better way. Sometimes it seems so overwhelming, and we wonder how much we can do, but with God all things are possible, and we must be willing to do our part in the little world we live in. To change ONE LIFE is to change the world for that person. God, open my eyes to the difference I can make in one person’s life.
Yes, so true, amen.
Great observation Kris. I will definitely be thinking more of and praying for my neighbors and community – and what they might be going through.
As I read the end of this devotion, the song “They’ll Know We are Christians by our Love” came to mind! I also felt compelled to pray for a few people who “I” and its only “me” have felt that they don’t like me. While those are just my
own feelings and thoughts they are most likely not true. Either way I’m praying for them and ME this morning as they are my sisters in the Lord even though our backgrounds look different, we are sisters because we have common ground, JESUS!
This song came to mind as i read today’s scriptures:
I’m so glad I’m a part of the Family of God,
I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His Blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
For I’m part of the family,
The Family of God
You will notice we say “brother and sister” ’round here,
It’s because we’re a family and these are so near;
When one has a heartache, we all share the tears,
And rejoice in each victory in this family so dear.
I’m so glad I’m a part of the Family of God,
I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His Blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
For I’m part of the family,
The Family of God
From the door of an orphanage to the house of the King,
No longer an outcast, a new song I sing;
From rags unto riches, from the weak to the strong,
I’m not worthy to be here, but PRAISE GOD! I belong!
I’m so glad I’m a part of the Family of God,
I’ve been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His Blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
For I’m part of the family,
The Family of God
Bill&Gloria Gaither
Totally off topic but not sure where to get an answer- for those that have a monthly subscription have you received the new reading guide that will start Monday?? I always get them way ahead so I am trying to find out what happened. Thanks for any info.
Same here. I’m not sure either what happened. I emailed them and haven’t heard back.
Hi Tara! We are extremely sorry for the delay in our response and that you haven’t received your Philippians & Colossians Reading Guide. Our Community Engagement Team is working hard and as quickly as possible through a significant volume of emails and the many glitches that resulted from our recent attempt to update subscription platforms. We appreciate your patience and grace. Someone from the team will be in touch shortly.
Did not receive one.
Hey there! I received this email last week, you may find it helpful.
Dear Subscriber,
You have been incredibly patient with us while we’ve been navigating some difficulties in transitioning subscription management systems. It is possible that you may be among the (un)lucky few who were not charged for your subscription in August, but then double charged for your subscription this month. That’s the bad news.
The good news is that you will receive both your August subscription book (Philippians and Colossians) and your September subscription book (Live by Faith) in the same box in time to read with the community on September 16. This means you will only be charged for shipping once.
Again, we are terribly sorry for the inconvenience this may have caused you and we expect to have our subscription charging issues ironed out this month so that next month, we’ll be back to our regularly scheduled programming.
Upward and Onward,
Mark D. Bullard, COO
She Reads Truth
Hi Jamie! We are so incredibly sorry that you have not received your August box and for the delay in our response. Our Community Engagement Team is continuing to work through a very high volume of emails and many glitches that resulted from our recent attempt to update subscription platforms as quickly as possible. We appreciate your grace and patience. Someone from the team will be in touch via email shortly.
I have not. I’ve written twice and received no reply.
I got Philippians & Colossians yesterday (1 book), but the promised second book was not in the box. I did get a notification that it was shipped. It is very frustrating and confusing, and if they don’t get it straightened out soon, I will be dropping my subscription after Advent. I do not need this lovely community to add so much stress to my life; that kinda defeats the purpose.
I’ve been a little behind in my readings this week and in the comments…how does life get so busy? I made it a point to get up early today as not to neglect my time with the Lord.
_________
All through Ephesians 5 & 6 we see a picture of Jesus Christ. When wives submit to their husbands, it’s as though we are submitting to the Lord — just as Christ submitted to the Father, Christ is our example and pattern to follow.
Children are to obey and honor their parents – just as Christ obeyed and honored His Father, and again – slaves are to obey their masters just as we are to obey Christ and Christ obeys the Father.
_________
I have always loved the story of Onesimus. What a beautiful picture of God’s love for us. We were slaves, who ran away from our Master. But just as Onesimus once a slave, now a son – we are received back, presented to God as faultless and having all of our debt paid by someone else – Jesus Christ. Formerly useless, but now useful to Christ. Praise God.
__________
Thank you Father for your beautiful redemption plan. Thank you for the price that was paid for my sin. Thank you for receiving me as your own. Please help me and each of my sisters here, to make Christ’s love known in the world.
__________
Thank you for your prayers for Jeff – he just left for his treatment. No issues with the machine yesterday, and so far, none today!
__________
Asking prayers for one of my cousins that had a massive heart attack. His name is Tommy. There is more detail and a photo on the SRT FaceBook page.
__________
Continued prayers for all your requests. Also prayers for all of you that are teachers, care givers and singles who desire a Godly husband. ❤️❤️
Praying there are no issues with Jeff’s treatment today! Beautiful summary, Sharon! Praying for Tommy and his care team. ❤
It is so good to hear that prayers were answered about the machine Sharon!
Thankful that the machine is working so that Jeff’s treatment can continue. My husband had radiation earlier in the year and several times that he went “the machine wasn’t working “. He did finish his treatment and is doing well❤️
I’m thankful for the encouraging prompt to pray for those enslaved. I have been thinking about those held captive by Hamas and other terrorists around the globe, not to mention the innocent children held by evil men/women… Lord God, we ask you continue to expose evil and free these innocent victims of evil. I pray Psalm 103:6, that You bring righteousness and justice to all who are oppressed. We are believing that for those in chains, in Jesus name, You will expose evil and bring light to such darkness. Nothing is hidden from Your sight. Every eye will see and every tongue will confess you, Jesus. We thank you for Your love and just judgement of the works of evil. In Jesus name, amen.
Yes! Prayers for those who are being held captive. May God strengthen them and help them and may they be released from their bondage.
Amen
Amen. We pray for those being held by Hamas on a regular basis.
Amen!
Amen and amen
The sermon we had on Sunday went well with this devotional. I feel like the Lord is really speaking to me to acknowledge where my heart holds on to anger and judgement for those I know and don’t know. I keep reminding myself to look at people as precious children that God created. Trust. It’s not easy but I’m working.
Equity. Inclusion. You can’t go 5 minutes anymore in our society without hearing these words. But I like this quote from the devo today: We are challenged to no longer measure our treatment of others by the standard practices of our culture but rather to fix our gaze on Jesus.
Our culture. We are being told very boldly right now how to treat others. We are being told very loudly what love looks like, what equity looks like, what inclusion looks like.
What Would Jesus Do? He didn’t treat others like the culture did back when Ephesians was written. And he didn’t treat others like our culture does today.
He loved equally. That meant that if you were poor, disabled, reviled by society, ashamed of your sin, He had compassion for you. He offered hope. He healed. He touched. He noticed you. He restored.
But…if you were proud, if you were leading people astray, if you were abusing your fellow man, if you were stealing from the poor, if you were lying to make yourself more important than others, He called you out. He rebuked you. He didn’t allow you to continue in your sinful ways.
THAT my friends is equity and inclusion. We ALL can have a seat in God’s Kingdom, but we don’t get in by following what our culture and society says to do, we get in by following the Jesus Way.
Amen! ❤️
Yes Laura! Americas “injustices” have made me so hardened to injustice. I remember thinking going on my first mission trip, americans have no idea what real poverty and injustice is. And I think I have carried that cold hearted view for a long time. I pray today to have eyes to see and hate what God hates and love what God loves, because if I’m honest it’s getting pretty confusing out there.
Lanie, Agree!
Laura- Spot on!
“Serve with a good attitude, as to the Lord and not to people, knowing that whatever good each one does, slave or free, he will receive this back from the Lord.”
.
Good to remember this when work days are hard.
.
CEE-GEE – thanks for asking. One new hire starts on Monday, with 3 others in the second interview stage. I’ve been tapped as the trainer, so my workload will not be getting done in a timely manner until the new hire is semi-independent. I’m hopeful that by the holidaysthings will settle back down.
Oh, Kelly, that sounds like a challenge, for sure! I will continue praying through this huge transition! ❤
Wow. Timely post and well written. Thank you.
May God protect and free the abused, and may we all turn to Christ for the spiritual freedom that can only come through Him.
–
MERCY – thank you for yesterday’s comment
WENDY B – praise the Lord for stability in your health, praying for wisdom for your oncology team
CEE GEE – another good throwback song! I had not heard it in years, but remember the sadness of it – especially at the end where it comes full circle. May each of us evaluate our priorities and the lessons we are teaching by our actions.
HEATHER O’MALLEY – praying for Hudson to accept the offer from one of the men, or for another person to step up that he would feel a connection with from the get-go.
❤
❤️
Amen
Reading that a few things came to mind and it really convicted me
Father God in Jesus name … I pray that you reveal yourself to me through out my day showing me areas I need to improve on.