Freedom in Christ
God’s grace to you as we approach the beginning of the year of our Lord, Two Thousand Twenty-Three.
I have so many things swirling around in my mind as I sit to write this article. The beginning of a new year conjures up memories of the past as well as aspirations for the future. This particular text immediately caused me to think of past experiences and to recall memories with enormous fondness. I guess I am being a little nostalgic as the old year draws to a close. That being said, let me share some memories with you.
I cannot help but think of two personal experiences when I read of someone being a slave. The first has to do with a sermon series I preached years ago in which I used the Statue of Liberty as a symbol for the series. I learned during my studies something most people have never heard of, that Lady Liberty is literally standing on broken shackles. The Statue of Liberty is an American symbol of freedom, and the image of broken chains reinforces the truth of our founding principles as a nation.
Secondly, in the year 2007 I traveled to Russia to assist and work with young churches who had come out from under the Communist system. These young churches were filled with faithful Christians who were hungry for a deeper understanding of the Word of God. One of the opportunities given to me when traveling for a second time to work with these churches in Russia is that I was offered the opportunity to lecture at the University of Moscow. My lecture was to be given to Russian students who were learning English. I was asked to not speak on a directly Christian topic, but rather a subject which would address an aspect of the struggles America experienced as a free nation.
I chose to give a lecture on the history of slavery in America and the movement to racial equality. If you recall, in the year 2007 America was deeply engaged in Desert Storm. I stood before about 200 students in a lecture hall who could care less about my lecture on slavery, but who were deeply interested in how I could justify what they viewed as American aggression in the Middle East. What I immediately understood is that the facts did not matter, but perceptions ruled the day.
When Paul writes the words of our text today, He is seeking to influence the perceptions in the minds of his readers. It is important for all of us to remember that perceptions are often driven and fueled by emotions, while facts and truth find strength in their objective reality. Hear what Paul says to us today.
Were you called as a slave? Do not let it concern you. But if you are also able to become free, take advantage of that. For the one who was called in the Lord as a slave, is the Lord’s freed person; likewise the one who was called as free, is Christ’s slave. You were bought for a price; do not become slaves of people. Brothers and sisters, each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was called. 1 Corinthians 7:21-24
Most of us hear the word “slave” and we immediately think of chains and whips. While these have always been a part of slavery in some ways, most slaves throughout history were not subjected to the cruelty the slaves who are part of American history experienced. In most cultures slaves were valued property. In the same way you would not abuse your cattle or our sheep, you would not abuse your slaves. Not one intentionally destroys their own property.
Therein lies the issue. A slave literally belongs to another person. In a culture which prizes freedom and individually (Ancient Roman world and America) the idea of being a slave is degrading. To lose your personal freedom and be subject to the will of another person was considered humiliating.
Enter Paul with a new perception on reality. If you are a slave. If your will is subject to the will of another, then be content and rest assured God understands your circumstance. If you can obtain you freedom, great! But if not, then never lose sight that Christ has given you true freedom which this unbelieving world can never understand. The bondage to sin and the fear of death has been taken way by the blood Jesus shed on the cross and the life He grants to His people through faith.
If, on the other hand, you were called to faith in Christ as a free person, then understand who Christ has called you to be! You may be free by the world’s standard, but Christ has called you to be His slave. In this context a slave is someone who willfully and joyfully submits all they are and all they have to the will of God to accomplish what Christ desires in their lives.
Paul’s point is that our life in Christ is not determined by our station in life in this world. God has called all of us to understand that while we are in this world, we are different than the people of this world. We are those who have receive new life in Christ and our life is one which can be freely shared with others regardless of our position in this world.
Paul will use this same approach to address those who are rich in contrast to those who are poor. The same is true for those who are young and old, male and female, and every other situation or circumstance of life. What is at issue is your own personal perception. Paul says it best, You were bought for a price. It does not matter the situation you face in your life. What is true for all of us is that the blood of Jesus which He shed on the cross paid the price for our sin. Jesus literally paid the price for us to be free. Free from judgment. Free from condemnation. Free to be the people of God.
As we enter into this new year, may we not forget what Paul is saying to each of us. Rich or poor, young or old, male or female, each and every one of us was in bondage to sin. All of us stand equal before the cross as those who have been set free by the blood of Jesus. Enter this new year with the confidence of knowing God has chosen you to be His very own children. He has also chosen you in your current situation of life to use you to reveal Jesus to the world. Do not aspire to be someone else. Be who you are, and let Christ be seen through you! Amen? Amen!
Blessings, and Happy New Year!
Pastor Russ
I have so many things swirling around in my mind as I sit to write this article. The beginning of a new year conjures up memories of the past as well as aspirations for the future. This particular text immediately caused me to think of past experiences and to recall memories with enormous fondness. I guess I am being a little nostalgic as the old year draws to a close. That being said, let me share some memories with you.
I cannot help but think of two personal experiences when I read of someone being a slave. The first has to do with a sermon series I preached years ago in which I used the Statue of Liberty as a symbol for the series. I learned during my studies something most people have never heard of, that Lady Liberty is literally standing on broken shackles. The Statue of Liberty is an American symbol of freedom, and the image of broken chains reinforces the truth of our founding principles as a nation.
Secondly, in the year 2007 I traveled to Russia to assist and work with young churches who had come out from under the Communist system. These young churches were filled with faithful Christians who were hungry for a deeper understanding of the Word of God. One of the opportunities given to me when traveling for a second time to work with these churches in Russia is that I was offered the opportunity to lecture at the University of Moscow. My lecture was to be given to Russian students who were learning English. I was asked to not speak on a directly Christian topic, but rather a subject which would address an aspect of the struggles America experienced as a free nation.
I chose to give a lecture on the history of slavery in America and the movement to racial equality. If you recall, in the year 2007 America was deeply engaged in Desert Storm. I stood before about 200 students in a lecture hall who could care less about my lecture on slavery, but who were deeply interested in how I could justify what they viewed as American aggression in the Middle East. What I immediately understood is that the facts did not matter, but perceptions ruled the day.
When Paul writes the words of our text today, He is seeking to influence the perceptions in the minds of his readers. It is important for all of us to remember that perceptions are often driven and fueled by emotions, while facts and truth find strength in their objective reality. Hear what Paul says to us today.
Were you called as a slave? Do not let it concern you. But if you are also able to become free, take advantage of that. For the one who was called in the Lord as a slave, is the Lord’s freed person; likewise the one who was called as free, is Christ’s slave. You were bought for a price; do not become slaves of people. Brothers and sisters, each one is to remain with God in that condition in which he was called. 1 Corinthians 7:21-24
Most of us hear the word “slave” and we immediately think of chains and whips. While these have always been a part of slavery in some ways, most slaves throughout history were not subjected to the cruelty the slaves who are part of American history experienced. In most cultures slaves were valued property. In the same way you would not abuse your cattle or our sheep, you would not abuse your slaves. Not one intentionally destroys their own property.
Therein lies the issue. A slave literally belongs to another person. In a culture which prizes freedom and individually (Ancient Roman world and America) the idea of being a slave is degrading. To lose your personal freedom and be subject to the will of another person was considered humiliating.
Enter Paul with a new perception on reality. If you are a slave. If your will is subject to the will of another, then be content and rest assured God understands your circumstance. If you can obtain you freedom, great! But if not, then never lose sight that Christ has given you true freedom which this unbelieving world can never understand. The bondage to sin and the fear of death has been taken way by the blood Jesus shed on the cross and the life He grants to His people through faith.
If, on the other hand, you were called to faith in Christ as a free person, then understand who Christ has called you to be! You may be free by the world’s standard, but Christ has called you to be His slave. In this context a slave is someone who willfully and joyfully submits all they are and all they have to the will of God to accomplish what Christ desires in their lives.
Paul’s point is that our life in Christ is not determined by our station in life in this world. God has called all of us to understand that while we are in this world, we are different than the people of this world. We are those who have receive new life in Christ and our life is one which can be freely shared with others regardless of our position in this world.
Paul will use this same approach to address those who are rich in contrast to those who are poor. The same is true for those who are young and old, male and female, and every other situation or circumstance of life. What is at issue is your own personal perception. Paul says it best, You were bought for a price. It does not matter the situation you face in your life. What is true for all of us is that the blood of Jesus which He shed on the cross paid the price for our sin. Jesus literally paid the price for us to be free. Free from judgment. Free from condemnation. Free to be the people of God.
As we enter into this new year, may we not forget what Paul is saying to each of us. Rich or poor, young or old, male or female, each and every one of us was in bondage to sin. All of us stand equal before the cross as those who have been set free by the blood of Jesus. Enter this new year with the confidence of knowing God has chosen you to be His very own children. He has also chosen you in your current situation of life to use you to reveal Jesus to the world. Do not aspire to be someone else. Be who you are, and let Christ be seen through you! Amen? Amen!
Blessings, and Happy New Year!
Pastor Russ
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