You have a Master in Heaven

(Colossians 4:1)

Slavery has always been a part of the human condition. Whether it be voluntary slavery or involuntary slavery it has existed throughout human history.

Today the involuntary slavery is not readily apparent. It is not part of mainstream life but is a part of the criminal underworld. It is a form of evil that should not exists and does so only because of the sinful and evil nature of man.

But there are other forms of involuntary slavery that I will look at in a moment. It is these that we need to be aware of for it is these that we need to overcome as individuals and Christ Jesus provides us with a path to freedom. And regardless of who you are, you have a master in heaven

Voluntary and Involuntary Slaves

In generations past when slavery was common, it could be either a horrible state for a slave, or it could be beneficial. It all depended on the nature of the master.

This verse today instructs the masters of slaves to treat their slaves well.

Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven (Colossians 4:1)

It made good sense in many ways for a master to treat his slaves well. A well treated slave would be loyal to the master. They would not seek to escape. They would work more productively and when the master fed and provided for the slave, they would be in better health to be able to produce more.

The stereotype of the master beating slaves mercilessly and treating them badly certainly may have occurred. But a smart master knew that greater benefits would accrue from treating slaves well.

A similar situation occurred in feudal times in medieval England and Europe. The lords of the manor were dependent upon the serfs to provide for the manor, and the serfs looked to the lord of the manor for protection, security, and governance. The serfs may not have been slaves, but they relied so heavily upon the lords of the manor that they were effectively “voluntary slaves.”

Even under Old Testament law when a person fell into slavery for one reason or another, they had to serve for a period of time (six years) and at the end of that time they could go free or enter into permanent slavery to the master if they so chose. If that slave deemed their master to be a good master, treating the slave well, the slave could be permanently indentured to the master. (see Exodus 21:1-6)

Under that one law a person could voluntarily remain a slave if they loved their master sufficiently and the life that master provided for the slave. The good master may have given the slave food, clothing, shelter and even a wife and family.

In other words the good master provided for all the earthly needs of the slave. And in return the slave gave good service and loyalty to the master. So it was a two way arrangement that worked well for both slave and master.

Unfortunately there were also many instances where it did not work to the benefit of both. There were overbearing and harsh masters. And it was from these that the slaves would seek to escape.

And we have to remember that we are all the same in that we are accountable to God. You have a master in heaven who is watching what you do.

Laws concerning slaves and masters

Under the law there were also provisions made for slaves who were fleeing from overbearing, harsh and brutal masters.

“You shall not give up to his master a slave who has escaped from his master to you; 16 he shall dwell with you, in your midst, in the place which he shall choose within one of your towns, where it pleases him best; you shall not oppress him. (Deuteronomy 23:15-16)

And in fact under the Bible laws of the Old Testament there were quite a number of protections for slaves. They were not to be treated excessively harshly, and to do so the masters could be punished up to and including being put to death. Look at this law as an example.

“If a man is found stealing one of his brethren, the people of Israel, and if he treats him as a slave or sells him, then that thief shall die; so you shall purge the evil from the midst of you. (Deuteronomy 24:7)

Which brings me back to the scripture in Colossians 4:1 that I am looking at today that shows us you have a master in heaven.

There were many laws concerning slavery to ensure they were treated reasonably. But in Christ we are set free from the law. But even though we are freed from the law, that does not mean we throw out the principles of the law and can do whatever we like. It especially does not mean a master can or should treat slaves badly just because they are freed from the law.

On the contrary, a Christian master was to treat their slaves equitably and with the love of God.

Slave masters must remember that every person on earth regardless of position or status, has God as their ultimate and supreme master. And God will repay people according to what they have done. He will repay the good with good and will punish the evil according to their works.

So it is important that we keep this perspective in all our dealings with people. In this day and age this also includes employers as the “masters” of those they employ. It may not be slavery in the traditional sense, but like the examples above, a good employer will instill greater confidence, loyalty and a productive work ethic than a bad employer. And as an employer, you have a master in heaven to whom you will be held accountable also.

Freedom from slavery

This brings me to my last point. There are forms of slavery from which all mankind suffers.

Every person is born under the slavery of sin. We are also all born under the slavery of God’s law.

But in Jesus Christ, we have received freedom and release from these two slaveries by faith.

There is however a third form of slavery and that is slavery to the passions, lusts, and desires of the flesh. Human passion wars against the spirit and will prevent us from doing what is right when or if we allow our passions to have full reign in our lives.

The Bible tells us about this form of slavery in these words.

18 For, uttering loud boasts of folly, they entice with licentious passions of the flesh men who have barely escaped from those who live in error. 19 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption; for whatever overcomes a man, to that he is enslaved. 20 For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overpowered, the last state has become worse for them than the first. (2 Peter 2:18-20)

People can be drawn back into the licentious passions of the flesh by others. They claim they are free, but in the exercise of their passions they become slaves.

Let’s consider the example of people with addictive personalities or those who are prone to substance abuse.

If they give in to their passions, especially under peer pressure, then they become enslaved. It may be legal and acceptable in this world to drink alcohol, but for a person prone to alcoholism, it would be better to abstain than to become a slave. Pornography is a particular passion these days and many have fallen to it’s depravity, even in the church.

As the scripture above states so clearly, “…whatever overcomes a man, to that he is enslaved.”

It can be anything at all. If it has power over you then you are a slave. And these types of slavery can leading to sinful actions because we become consumed by the desire to fulfill our human passion and craving.

But praise the Lord that He has provided the means of escape so that we can overcome these things. These are problems of the world and Jesus pointedly states this:

I have said this to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

Jesus has overcome the world. He did not fall prey to human passions even though He came as a man.

And He has provided the means to escape slavery of this type. He gives us the Holy Spirit and the ministry of walking in the Spirit by which we can put to death the deeds of the flesh, as we are told in Romans 8:13.

Slavery ceases to be a problem when we learn how to exercise the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives to win the victory over the flesh. Not that it is our doing. We have this through the victory that Jesus already achieved in His death and resurrection.

I have written about this process of walking in the Spirit many times in this blog and in other places. Check out some of the links at the bottom of this article to learn more. And remember at all times that regardless of your lot in life, you have a master in heaven, the one true master who is God.

You might also like:

Temptations To Sin Are Sure To Come
Serving Jesus
Speaking In Tongues
Jealousy The Green Eyed Monster
Greed Leads To Loss
Why We Suffer
Change Your Behaviour
Oops I Did It Again
What Are You Thinking About
Walking In The Spirit
Sons Not Slaves
Walking Properly With Christ
Imitate Christ
No Anxiety
Gods Protection
Manifestation Of The Spirit
Tongues Build Up
Praying In Tongues
Using Tongues Properly
Becoming Perfect
Weapons Of War
Do You Recognise The 3 Freedoms God Offers You
What Is The Work Of The Holy Spirit
A Life Worthy Of Christ
The Holy Spirit Has A Dirty Job
The Christian Battle