Making the Christian Life Attractive |
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In Chapter 2 we saw several classes of people. There are the older men and women along with the younger women and men. Now we have a fifth class and that is slaves. The word “servant” actually speaks of slaves.
The Roman world was full of slaves. Slaves were taken from the many nations that Rome conquered. The Roman Empire depended on slaves for most of its labor, and they were an essential part of Roman society and its economy. It is estimated that at one time about a third of the inhabitants were of this class. Nearly every Roman home owned at least two or three servants.
Many slaves were prisoners of war, criminals, and condemned men. Some were placed into slavery to pay off their debts. Some were kidnapped and placed into slavery. There were some cases where children were sold into slavery by their parents. Slaves consisted of all walks of life. Some were barbers, butlers, cooks and even physicians. Some were highly education, superior to their owners in education.
Let me at the very beginning state that it is true that in our text Paul does not condemn slavery. He is not commending or condoning slavery. That is not the purpose of what Paul is dealing with in these verses. Rather he is recognizing that slavery exists. In Paul’s day many slaves had become Christians, therefore his purpose is to encourage them to live in such a way that they make the Christian life attractive.
When it comes to the issue of slavery in the Bible, one might note that the Bible never condemns slavery in either the Old or New Testament. The teachings of the Bible are not largely concerned on changing human systems but human hearts which is the root cause of human problems. It has been well said that the heart of the problem is the problem of the heart.
John MacArthur, in his commentary on Titus, comments on these verses: “Although slavery is not uniformly condemned in either the Old or New Testaments, the sincere application of New Testament truths has repeatedly led to the elimination of its abusive tendencies. Where Christ's love is lived in the power of His Spirit, unjust barriers and relationships are inevitably broken down. As the Roman Empire disintegrated and eventually collapsed, the brutal, abused system of slavery collapsed with it—due in great measure to the influence of Christianity. In more recent times the back of the black slave trade was broken in Europe and America due largely to the powerful, Spirit-led preaching of such men as John Wesley and George Whitefield and the godly statesmanship of such men as William Wilberforce and William Pitt. The teachings and application of those teachings in the heart of certain individuals have done more to eliminate slavery than any other cause. Changed people changed humanity and that is the order of the Scripture.”
Let’s look at the instructions Paul gives slaves. Although slavery is not an issue to us, his instructions are relevant and applicable in our lives. What he says can be applied in our actions and attitude to employers and our actions and attitude to God.
First, think with me of:
1. THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF SLAVES
Paul is specifically writing to people who lacked their freedom. As you would agree they were not living in the best of circumstances. However, Paul calls for them to live a proper Christian life even in their circumstances.
We are reminded that regardless of our circumstances, we are to live the kind of life God commands. Whatever our circumstances, it does not change:
A) The Application of God’s Commands
I think of what it called Situation Ethics. The Philosophy of Situation Ethics was developed by an Anglican theologian by the name of Joseph Fletcher as a result of his critique of Legalism and Antinomianism. Legalism is the idea that there are fixed moral laws which are to be obeyed at all times. Antinomianism is the idea that there are no fixed moral principles but that one's ethics are spontaneous.
Fletcher believed that both Legalism and Antinomianism are unable to provide a sound basis for ethics and so advocated Situationism as a “middle way” between them. He stated, “Our obligation is relative to the situation; but obligation in the situation is absolute.”
For example, let’s say that a person is against abortion. They believe that God in His Word condemns the taking of life. But then their daughter gets pregnant. They struggle with what has happened for some reason or another they have their daughter get an abortion. Their situation dictated their ethics.
Let me give you another example. A person believes it is wrong to drink, but then they are at a Christmas party and everyone is drinking. To not drink would make them stand out, appear odd, and maybe even hurt them with their superiors so they drink. Once again situations regulated their ethics.
When it comes to living for God, His commands are not commands to be followed only in certain circumstances. Certain situations or certain circumstances do not create a waver of what God expects. They are commands to be followed whatever the circumstances. God’s commands are to be applied in every circumstance.
The situation never determines your ethics. The Bible is the lone guide in what is right and wrong. John Wesley understood this when he made the statement, “I would not tell one lie to save the souls of all the world.”
Therefore, there is to be:
B) The Dedication to God’s Commands
We are to live for God no matter where or what. As an older man or woman, or as a younger man or woman, or even a slave, to know Christ is to live for him.
Paul’s words imply that there were slaves who were living for God. They were living for God in the most adverse circumstances. I remind you that you can and should live for God in the most adverse situations. Yes, there are some places in which it is harder to live for God. Yet, you can live for God and uphold Christian values in any surrounding if one is dedicated to obeying God’s commands.
Secondly, think with me about:
2. THE CONDUCT OF SLAVES
In verse 9 Paul instructs slaves as to their behavior. He writes: “9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; 10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity…” There was a reason why Paul gave such instruction, as we shall notice, but first let’s notice the instructions that are given.
A) Their Deportment
First, there is a call for slaves “to be obedient unto their masters.” The word “master” is the word from which we get the English "despot," which denotes a person with absolute authority and power. Masters were those who ruled over these slaves.
Paul’s instruction was to that these slaves were to obey their masters. The word “obedient” means to be “subject to.” It is a word that used by the military to designate a soldier’s relationship to his superiors. It speaks of a relationship that is not conditional or optional but an absolute and inescapable given. A Master would give orders and the slave was to obey those orders.
Furthermore, they were to “please them well in all things.” The word “please” speaks of being committed to excellence in their work. They were to not only obey their masters but to do well what they were commanded to do.
In Ephesians and Colossian Paul gave similar instructions but with a great focus in mind:
[Ephesians 6:5] “Servants, be
obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with
fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ;
[Colossians 3:22] “Servants,
obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with
eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
In Eph 6:5 their obedience was “as unto Christ.” In Col 3:23 it is “as to the Lord, and not unto men.” Paul was encouraging them to do what they did as if they were doing it for the Lord. Their ultimate authority was the Lord and in all they did they were do as if they were doing it for the Lord.
You also see:
B) Their Disposition
Note the words “not answering again.” The words literally speak of not talking back or being argumentative. We might say, they were not to be mouthing off to their masters.
I think about a husband that was always arguing with his wife. One day she said, “How would you like it if you did not see me for about three days.” He said that nothing would make him happier. On the third day he was able to see just a little out of his left eye.
When a master gave them orders they were not to argue or talk back, but submit to their authority and do their job well.
You also see:
C) Their Dependability
In verse 10 Paul tells them not to be “purloining.” The word speaks of “pilfering” and literally means "to put aside for oneself or misappropriate." The word came to be used of stealing by embezzlement.
Instead, they were to show “all good fidelity.” They were to be faithful. The word “fidelity” refers to trustworthiness and reliability, the quality of being utterly dependable, even when one is not being watched by the master or the employer.
Now one may ask why Paul would give such instructions to slaves. Think with me of:
3. THE CONCERN OF SLAVES
Paul saw every situation as an opportunity to be a witness and evangelize. He is aware that these are slaves, but even as slaves the greatest concern in their life should be pleasing the Lord and being a witness to others.
They were, in spite of being a slave and their circumstances, to live:
A) A Life that was Revealing
In verse ten Paul uses the word “shewing” which means "to show forth for the purpose of demonstrating or proving something." Their behavior was to be of such that even in their circumstances they would reveal and prove the reality of their faith.
All that Paul has said to slaves should be applied to our life. For example, how we work on our jobs can hurt or help our testimony. The best worker on a job ought to be a Christian. Christians should never be guilty of being argumentative or being slothful in their work. A person who half does the job they are paid for and is always being difficult to get along with will have a hard time being a good witness for Christ.
In all we do, we are do it as unto the Lord. We are to behave in such way that our faith is demonstrated and viewed as genuine.
Furthermore, these slaves were to live a:
B) A Life that was Appealing
They were to live in such a way that their lives would “adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.” It is from the word “adorn” that we get our word cosmetics. It speaks of the vast array of substances, both natural and artificial, that women (and men) use to make themselves more physically attractive. The root idea of the term is that of arranging something in proper order to give it symmetry, comeliness, and beauty. In ancient times it was used of arranging jewels in a brooch, necklace, ring, or crown in a way that best displayed the beauty of the gems.
Even as slaves they were to live in such a way that their lives would not only prove the reality of their faith but attract others to what they had in Christ. There are a lot of people who are going to hell because of people that are going to heaven. Instead of living a life that draws people to Christ, their life’s drive people away.
All Christians are to live in such a way that it is a testimony to God is that He is our Savior and desires to be their Savior as well.
No matter the circumstances of life we are to live a Christian life that is revealing and appealing. Even if one is a slave. |