11/07/2014 - WISE ATTITUDE

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Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back, not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.  Titus 2.9,10

There are some things in life we cannot explain. In the old times, some people became bondservants for several reasons. The Scriptures did not condemn this practice, since their message focused on delivering man from true captivity—the one of spiritual nature. Once a bondservant is delivered in the spiritual realm, no one will ever be able to enslave him again. In the last judgment, any forms of human exploitation will be judged.

In accordance with tradition in those days, the Lord urged bondservants to be obedient to their masters. Does God want to see us today participating in street protests that we consider to be fair? As a matter of fact, he does not, because we have a more important mission to accomplish, and only we are able to accomplish it. Other people, who have no understanding about the Word of God, can be used for such protests.

A bondservant should not answer back to his master. However, once freed, he could be, through his attitude, the bearer of the message to the person who used to enslave him. Then his master would understand that, in view of the happiness of his former bondservant, the Word of God was the only solution to his problems, to his eternal salvation. Those who managed to bring their masters to Christ—or other people—would have gained more than their own freedom.

There is no doubt that slavery was a terrible chapter in human history, and it was certainly God’s will to end it. But it would be even worse to let people be lost forever, knowing that Jesus already paid the price for their redemption. He who is used to bring someone to true freedom—spiritual freedom—will have done the greatest work that a saved person can do, and his reward will be great.

The lesson we must learn from today’s message is that we should take advantage of opportunities when they arise, and with God’s help, lead people to understanding his salvation plan. Workers can and should give an example of loyalty to their employers, being honest at all times and not stealing from them, so that they may adorn the doctrine of God, as the bondservants were urged to do in those old times. What a great privilege it is to be able to adorn the doctrine of God!

If we put aside man’s struggles and start doing God’s will, we will be opting for something that is much better. Since today there is no more slavery, like in those old times, we can take into consideration the orientations of these two verses and apply them to employees. In any case, the best thing is to be God’s ambassador.

Only those who are saved can show through their attitude that there is great reward in serving God with obedience and joy. The Lord will surely reward us for all we have done for his work. Doing the will of the Most High is always the best thing to do.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares