We continue our study this week with Ephesians 6:5-6:
not by way of eye service, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.
Many wonder why the Scriptures do not directly condemn some of the great social evils such as slavery and abortion. The historian Will Durant articulated this well when he said, “Caesar sought to change men by changing institutions. Jesus changed institutions by changing men.”
We see an example of this in the book of Philemon. In this letter Paul admonishes a slave owner to receive his runaway slave back, but “no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother” (verse 16). Paul did not just want his friend to receive his slave back as a neighbor, or even a fellow citizen in the kingdom, but in the highest way possible, as “a brother.” How could anyone who is freed from the slavery of sin and received by God Himself as a brother not do the same with his own slaves? How could anyone who was so treated so mercifully by the King of glory not be convicted by the abuse or mistreatment of his fellow man, or not paying his laborers their worthy wages? In this way not only slavery, but all forms of oppression and the wrong treatment of others is addressed.
Of course many do not understand the ways of the Spirit and therefore demand the superficial changes that are reflected in politics and institutions. These too have their place, but for true and lasting change of governments and institutions men must be changed. Therefore the Scriptures, which are the instructions to the spiritual men and women who are commissioned by the Spirit, the emphasis is on that which will result in spiritual change.
There are people who may be wealthy and have many people working for them, but are slaves to their wealth. Those who are so bound will inevitably be oppressors because of their greed and fear. In Christ you can be very poor in relation to the world’s wealth, and yet be freer and happier than kings and presidents. A slave or a prisoner who is in Christ will be one of the most free people on earth. They will also be committed to helping others get free, not just from institutions or policies, but from the shackles of the heart. It is much better to be free spiritually and be a slave in the natural than to be free in the natural and be a slave in spirit.
However, the best is to be free in all things. There is no question that the Lord wants this for all men. Freedom is so important to the Lord that we are told in II Corinthians 3:17, “...where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” Therefore, every Christian is called to be a “freedom fighter,” going about seeking to break the yokes of the devil off of those who are in his prison.
One of the most oppressive yokes of bondage is the “fear of man.” Under this one yoke comes other such fears as the fear of rejection, fear of failure, etc. These are the most cruel oppressors. One of the most basic ways that we can free ourselves of these terrible yokes of slavery is simply to do what we do “as unto the Lord” rather than men. Of course, one of the most debilitating and destructive forms of this fear of man is when we start practicing our religion before men. The Lord makes clear in Matthew 6 that this is the foundation of a hypocritical life.
It is also true that when we start doing our work as unto the Lord we can turn the worst drudgery into worship, and experience the incomparable pleasure of the Lord’s presence in it. When we do our work as unto the Lord we can be joined to Him in His yoke, which means that we will be aided by His strength. Fellowship with Him in the worst job will be better than the best job without Him. True freedom is in the heart.
The greatest freedom that we can ever know is to be Christ’s slave. He treats his slaves better than any human ever treated their sons and daughters. He also gives His slaves the opportunity to become His sons and daughters, fellow heirs with Him, seated on the highest throne in creation. How could we who have perceived such a calling not be continually captured by its pursuit? This is the chief joy and fulfillment that can be known on this earth, to be in the service of the King of kings.