pastorjohnb

Thoughts and musings on faith and our mighty God!

Tag Archives: enslaved


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Changing Dynamics

Reading: Philemon 1-21

Philemon 6 – “I pray that your partnership in the faith might become effective by an understanding of all that is good among us in Christ.”

Photo credit: Sophie Walker

Today’s reading – a short letter containing 21 verses – appeals to a slave owner on behalf of the slave. Paul writes to Philemon, a fellow Christian who is known for his love and faithfulness. Paul addresses his letter not only to Philemon but also to the church that meets in his house. This home church was likely started by Paul and is likely led now by Philemon. Paul writes to both because he is counting on grace to shape both Philemon’s decision and the community that will be affected by his decision.

Paul is sending Onesimus, the runaway slave, back to Philemon, probably with this letter in hand. Paul has been in prison and Onesimus has been like a son to him. He sends Onesimus back not as a slave but as if he was sending “his own heart,” as one who has become “a dearly loved brother to me.” Paul writes this prayer to Philemon: “I pray that your partnership in the faith might become effective by an understanding of all that is good among us in Christ.” Paul hopes that Philemon, a fellow leader in the church and a brother in Christ, will accept Onesimus back not as a slave but as “a brother to you, personally and spiritually in the Lord.” Paul is asking Philemon to change the dynamics of the relationship in a radical way.

How might the Spirit ask you or I to do a similar thing? While the slavery of this distant past doesn’t exist, today many people are enslaved in other ways. Who do we hold imprisoned in stereotypes or in broken relationships? Who do we know that is held captive by addiction or debt or grief or because of continuing unwise or unhealthy choices? What radical steps or changes of heart could we undertake in ourselves to love and free these folks, seeing them as sisters and brothers in Christ?

Prayer: Lord God, just as Paul experienced the life-changing love and grace of Christ, so too have we experienced his love and grace. Move in our hearts today, Lord Jesus, to open us up to changing the broken dynamics, to seeing all as a future brother or sister in Christ. In practicing radical love and grace we will be transformed as we seek to transform our world into the kingdom of God, here on earth. Amen.


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Heirs in the Spirit

Reading: Galatians 3-4

Galatians 3:3 – “After you started with the Spirit, are you now finishing up with your own effort?”

Chapters 3 and 4 focus on the works of the Law versus the Spirit and on slaves versus heirs. Paul begins chapter 3 with a great line: “You irrational Galatians!” Paul is clearly frustrated. But it is a frustrated with a laugh involved. Their choice is so hard to believe, it makes one chuckle. After receiving the Holy Spirit through faith in Jesus Christ, the Galatians have changed courses. Paul asks, “After you started with the Spirit, are you now finishing up with your own effort?” Perhaps we too smile because we’ve done something similar again and again – tackling a problem or an issue on our own instead of first turning to the Lord.

Paul reminds the Galatians that Abraham was credited as righteous because of his faith. He then reminds them that they were redeemed by Jesus Christ so that they too could receive Abraham’s promise. Through Jesus they’ve been made family: brothers and sisters with Christ. Baptized into Christ, now clothed in Christ, the Galatians are now part of the family of God. Moving on, Paul clarifies.

Paul reminds the Galatians that prior to knowing Christ, they were enslaved by the things (or gods) of this world. Now freed, Paul wonders how they can go back to that. He longs to be with them. He is “at a loss about you.” Paul then turns to another analogy: Abraham’s two sons. One was conceived and born “the normal way” to a slave woman. This “son” remains enslaved to the Law. The other son was born to a free woman, conceived through the promise. This is the line that the Galatians stand in: born into Christ, freed from the Law, living under the Spirit. This is the line that we stand in as fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Thanks be to God.

Prayer: Lord God, thank you for our adoption into your family. Born outside the biological line, we are incorporated in by the Spirit. We’ve been made one in Christ, one with each other. Thank you, Jesus. Amen.