1 Corinthians 7:23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.

A few days ago the subject of slavery came up from a passage in Romans, and along with it the whole subject of cultural context and communicating the Gospel. This whole chapter is firmly rooted in the culture of the day, but it still has a lot to say to us whatever our current culture. This verse specifically speaks to our loyalties. A slave is required to be obedient to their owner, but we are to serve the Lord Jesus Christ first and foremost. Some people, then and now, actually chose/choose to be slaves of others, because a slave has virtually no personal responsibility; they just have to obey their master. That is not to be our attitude! Every Christian has been bought with the body and blood of Jesus Christ, so we belong to God. Our responsibility isn’t just to obey God, it is to fellowship with Him and delight in Him so that we may be transformed into the likeness of His Son. (2 Corinthians 3:18) There’s a world of difference between that and slavery! Even aside from human trafficking (which is a huge problem) many people function as slaves, essentially “checking their minds at the door” as they serve some organization. That is no more defensible than the slavery of Paul’s day! We are to serve God in Christ Jesus, and let that be the determining factor for everything else.

The two times I’ve had a taste of what slavery might involve where when I was a pledge for the Alpha Psi Omega drama fraternity and when I was drafted into the Army, but either was a far cry from true slavery. In my observation, slavery is more a matter of emotional and mental, rather than physical, constraints. I have dealt with people who were slaves to all sorts of things. Two people can have the same job and one be a slave to it and the other not. As a pastor, I am to help people recognize their dependencies and choose to depend on God alone. I am not in a position personally to combat human trafficking, though I support in prayer those who do, but I daily deal with those who are caught in more subtle forms of slavery, and I am to set them free by the grace and power of God. (Luke 4:18)

Father, thank You for the freedom that comes only by Your Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:17) Help me walk in that freedom myself, serving You alone, and lead others to do the same, for Your pleasure and glory. Thank You. Praise God!