Faith and Slavery

10.04.2010 · Posted in Home

“When you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, ‘We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!'”

This is the conclusion of Jesus’ answer to the plea of His apostles to increase their faith.

What is the connection between having faith and being slave, or doing considering yourself like a slave?

Thank God, civilization has eliminated slavery. At least in principle and as an accepted institution. Who can negate the contribution of Christianity in eliminating slavery? Christianity was born in a time when nobody ever imagined of questioning slavery. However, already in the early history of Christianity, we find St Paul dealing with a practical issue regarding slavery. Once, a slave, who was a Christian, ran away from his master and went to seek refuge in St Paul. His master happened to be himself a Christian too. So, St Paul sent Onesimus, the name of the slave, back to his master, Philemon, accompanied by a letter. In this letter, St Paul recognizes the right of Philemon over his slave and the mistake of Onesimus. However, he reminds him that, being a Christian, he should know that he too was once a slave – and what slavery! He reminds him that he was redeemed at a very high price: the precious Blood of Christ shed on the Cross. Therefore, he appeals to him to receive back Onesimus not as a slave but as a brother, because being both of them baptized, that is what they are.

Is it enough for a Christian to say: “I believe in God”?

Do we know what we are praying for when we ask God to increase our faith, as the apostles did? Did they know what they were asking? It does not seem so. In fact, the first reaction of Jesus was: “If you had faith the size of a mustard seed… “. In other words: “What do you mean “increase”? You do not even have the least possible faith!”

Whenever the Christian says: I believe in God, he is saying: “I believe that God has sent His Only Son to redeem me, through His Precious Blood, from the slavery of satan and sin”. It is a pity whenever Christians take this for granted and whenever non Christians do not hear this in the Christian profession of faith.

Christ, Who came to reveal to us the real nature of God, God who is Love, has a right over us. In redeeming us, we have become His “slaves”. The great difference is the difference there is between satan, who is all hate and destruction, and Christ, who is the incarnation of Eternal and Unconditional Love. Although Christ has a right to claim our servitude, He redeemed us to set us free. Serving such a Benefactor, who changed our destiny from death to life, is not an obligation, but a pleasure. We should be grateful if Christ were to ask something from us, let alone to be His partners in the work of salvation.

How can we confess our faith in God and do not seek to serve Him? How can we confess our faith in God and doing anything He asks from us? How can we, at the end of the day, after having done whatever He demands from us, not be grateful?

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