Pathways For Sojourners

[Beetow]

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195) Eph 6:5-6 . . Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and
with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win
their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God
from your heart.

The Greek word translated "slaves" is ambiguous; it can mean slaves by either
voluntary or involuntary means.

The first would be something like an indentured slave; which Webster's defines as a
contract binding one person to work for another for a given period of time. Jacob is
a good biblical example of indentured slavery. He sold fourteen years of his life to
uncle Laban in exchange for Rachel's hand in marriage. (Gen 29:18, Gen 29:27)

The practical application applies to giving one's employer an honest day's work for
an honest day's pay. But pay is not really the primary issue. Subordination is the
primary issue, and has been in this epistle since 5:21. Christ's followers may not
like the idea, but they are not independent agents with Christ; no, he owns them:
bought and paid for as flesh on the line.

● 1Cor 6:19-20 . .You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore
honor God with your body.

So then, folks unified with Christ really ought to serve workplace employers with a
conscientious regard for their status; which is really difficult for American believers
because their country has such an abhorrence for slavery and such a high regard
for freedom, revolution, and independence; and when they're mistreated and/or
treated unfairly, they react; which is not always a good thing for Christians to do.
(1Pet 2:18-19)
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[Beetow]

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196) Eph 6:9a . . And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten
them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in Heaven,

I have yet to discover a passage in the Bible either condemning or forbidding
slavery. I'm not saying there are none; it's just that as for myself, I have yet to run
across one. But I have discovered passages related to the treatment of slaves.

"in the same way" hails back to Eph 6:7 where it says:

"With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men"

Note that herein masters are not required to liberate their slaves; rather, to treat
them with good will; roughly defined as benevolent interest or concern, i.e.
kindness and charity.

In a situation where both the slave and his owner are Christians, things become
just a bit complicated because they're siblings together in God's family (Gal 3:28).
Therefore, Christ's law is to be exemplified by both the slave and his master.

● John 15:12-13 . . My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.

A slave owner willing to sacrifice his life to protect his slaves would be an unusual
master; but that is the very thing expected from him when he's a Christian and his
slaves are Christians; and should probably be the attitude of a Christian supervisor
towards his Christian employees: which is the attitude of a good shepherd rather
than that of a self-serving predator.
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[Beetow]

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197) Phil 1:27 . .Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel.

"conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ" is talking about Christian social skills, e.g. kindness, courtesy, tact, diplomacy, tolerance, lenience, civility, encouragement, sympathy, compassion, etc.

Those kinds of behaviors have the effect of bonding people instead of alienating them. When people are bonded, they are more likely to pull together instead of working independently and/or against each other as competitors and/or rivals.
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[Beetow]

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198) Phil 1:28 . . In nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an
evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

That terror is likely relative to threats, coercion, intimidation, public opinion,
vandalism, rumors, 24/7 surveillance, tattling, lock downs, filtered information,
censoring, isolation, searches and seizures, raids, imprisonment, privation, insanely
huge bail bonds, long prison sentences for minor infractions, travel restrictions,
denial of basic human rights and civil liberties, limited medical care, frozen bank
accounts, black-outs of financial services (credit cards, debit cards, and ATM
machines) watch lists, and physical violence, etc.

NOTE: The Greek word translated "granted" basically means to bestow as a favor,
i.e. a gratuity. In other words: the adversities described above should never be
cursed as bad luck when they just might actually be providential blessings.

● 1Pet 4:12-13 . . Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to
try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch
as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed,
you may be glad also with exceeding joy.
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[Beetow]

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199) Phil 2:1-2 . . If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if
any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and
compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same
love, being one in spirit and purpose.

Those particular instructions are limited to a very narrow cross section of society
whom Jesus labeled: "those you have given me" (John 17:9). It is they for whom
Christ prayed for unity. (John 17:11, John 17:21-22)

The Greek word translated "tenderness and compassion" pertains to one's bowels
which is where we "feel" pity and/or sympathy for others. Well, needless to say:
feelings are easy to imitate, but not so easy to duplicate.
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[Beetow]

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200) Phil 2:3 . . Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility
consider others better than yourselves.

If there is at least one place on earth where believers should be on the same plan
with each other it's church; but that's not always the case as human nature values
status, and it's prone to rivalry.

Some people aren't content with mediocrity; no, they have to be head and
shoulders above the crowd, they have to be admired: they have to be feted, they
have to be heard, they have to be noticed, they have to be somebody, they have to
be a mover and a shaker, they have to be up in an ivory tower; they have to have
their finger on the pulse; they have to be in the limelight. And above all; they have
to be right because it is totally contrary to conceit's nature to be wrong about
anything; even superfluous minutiae.

If you should find yourself in a position around your church, whether as an usher or
a cook for men's Saturday morning prayer breakfast, make sure your heart's in the
right place because there is coming a performance evaluation for the Lord's family
circle where some of the elite are going to be very embarrassed when they're
exposed for the ambitious achievers they really were.

● 1Cor 4:5 . . He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness, and will expose the
motives of men's hearts.

An especially bad case of "vain conceit" is on display at 3John 1:9-10
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