1 Timothy 6:1 – All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered.
1 Timothy 6:1 Whoever is a slave must make the best of it, giving respect to his master so that outsiders don’t blame God and our teaching for his behavior. (Message Bible)
“A slave that does not rebel does not deserve pity.” Those are the words of President and junta of Burkina Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traore. Slaves are expected to hate their masters and attempt to run away or set themselves free. No one should be in slavery. Yet it is also a reality that slavery still goes on even today in war torn parts of the world.
Slavery goes on today in human trafficking. Child labor. Forced labor. Sex trafficking. Domestic servitude. Forced marriage. Debt bondage. In all these cases the slave is not free. The slave is under a master who forces the slave to do what they would otherwise not do.
It therefore goes against the norm to urge slaves to cooperate with their masters or even to suggest that they should accept the status quo. Slavery is the worst thing that can happen to anyone. We should strive to set free those who are under slavery.
Yet it is also true that while slavery per se is dwindling, other forms of slavery are thriving. Drug addiction is a slavery. Borrowing money you can’t pay makes you a slave to the one or those who lent you. Toxic relationships make you a slave of your partner. Toxic work places make you a slave. It is wrong and evil to be a slave or even a slave master. We need urgent liberation.
Some are slaves to political leaders and parties. Some are slaves to games or even football teams. Some are slaves to entertainment. Some are slaves to philosophies, theologies and thought leaders. Many more are slaves to pursuit of money. We need it urgent liberation from any form of slavery. We were created to be free!
While it’s true we need to seek liberty from slavery, Apostle Paul raises another issue in our test today. The Apostle Paul tells us that the reputation of God’s name is of a priority over our agitation for freedom from slavery. Respect your slave masters and serve them faithfully, not because slavery is good, but because the consequence is they will be attracted to your God and they will honor Him.
If the honor of God requires your slavery, be a slave gladly. This doesn’t mean slavery is tolerated. This means there is a higher priority to that of struggling against slavery. Priority doesn’t remove the importance of other items in the list. All are important but we prioritize this one – the honor of God’s name!
Are you in a slavery kind of setting at your work place? Be faithful. Do your best. Work hard. Be the best worker under those conditions. May God be glorified and after that May He set you free!
Are you in a slavery kind of education system? Do your best. Get the best grades. Emerge the best student. May God be glorified and May you exit that school with flying colors!
Are you in a slavery kind of relationship? Ensure your life is not threatened. Seek regular counseling to avoid mental health issues. Be a faithful excellent partner. Don’t revenge a narcissistic partner’s behavior. Love even if you are not loved. Be kind even when you are not shown kindness. God will change your partner or enable you to endure or somehow set you free!
May God be glorified in all that we do, even if it means in enslaving situations. May God liberate us. Until then we remain faithful, in Jesus’s name, Amen!
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Amen and Amen.
Amen and Amen 🙏🙏