That Mutual Thing

We read the word slave and it paralyzes us. Can we even say that word in the 21st century? Sadly slavery has been a part of the human experience since early in the book of Genesis. Yes, slavery is a direct result of the fall, and if you go back far enough in your family, you will find that your family has both been enslaved and enslaved others! Why would I say that? I say that because I have read history and at least a portion of your DNA is descended from both slave owner and slave. Of course, some of what is called slavery historically was much more like indentured servanthood than actual slavery. How? You only worked for a set amount of years and then you were free to leave. While you were owned you had to obey, but once your time was up, you could walk away. At least 10-20 percent of the population of the Roman Empire were slaves (some indentured servants and some sold like cattle). Some historians place this percentage much higher. I chose the smaller numbers to make sure that I was not overstating the circumstances. Jesus nor His disciples nor the early church fathers came out, guns blazing against slavery, why? Slavery (including indentured servanthood) was ingrained into the culture in every way including economically. This was not just true in the 1st century but also in ancient Israel. God did not order Moses to stop slavery or indentured servanthood, but He gave some very strict rules on how these slaves were to be treated. Jesus did not come to overthrow the Roman System. He came to change the hearts of those in the Roman system. Yes, when enough of those hearts were changed slavery was no longer dominant. Now you know why I became a preacher rather than a politician. I do not want to pass laws to change the world. I want hearts to come to know Jesus and with a new heart the world will be very different. Show up on Sunday and the Lord just might change your heart.