Question for reflection: How does my servant-owner God move me to help others find freedom?

Hymn: WOV #735 "God! When Human Bonds Are Broken" or LBW #456 / LW #412 "The King of Love My Shepherd Is"

Prayer: Dear Servant God, Help me overcome the masters that enslave me. Open my heart to receive your grace, and guide me to serve others freely. Amen.

What was Paul thinking when he wrote about freedom and slavery all in the same sentence? I cannot think of two more opposite states of human existence. Freedom allows us to make choices, to be mobile, to plan and work toward our future. Slavery, on the other hand, is oppressive, demeaning and inhumane. It's merely an existence with no rights and freedoms. The word "slavery" is dismal and sinister, and brings us feelings of guilt and shame.

Paul boldly addresses a community of people, telling some that even as slaves, they are free in the Lord; those who are free persons are slaves of Christ. In verse 21, Paul tells them not to worry about their status in life. "Make use of your present condition."

Those words may be helpful for the independent people. We may even find comfort and encouragement in Paul's words. But how do oppressed men, women and children receive encouragement from being told to be content with their slave status and make the most of it? According to the American Anti-Slavery Group, "There may be more slaves today than ever before in history." How could these 20th Century slaves-child laborers, child soldiers, and women and girls sold into bondage-understand Paul's words, and find strength in being told they are free?

Paul tells the free people that they will be slaves of Christ. Why would anyone want to embrace Christianity if it meant they were going to give up their freedom and become a slave?

"Belonging to the Lord" is more understandable to those who are slaves. Belonging implies "ownership," and slaves are owned by their masters. Paul says they are free, yet they still belong to the Lord. Where is their freedom if they still belong to someone?

Freedom is living in the understanding and acceptance that God is our owner. God has purchased us and all people, both slave and free. Paul says in verse 23, "you were bought with a price." God paid the price, Jesus' body and blood, making all people free. Henri Nouwen wrote in Compassion, "It is in his servanthood that God chooses to reveal himself as God to us. A God for us who came not to rule but to serve." We belong to God, an owner who serves all people, slave and free.

Are any of us truly free? Although the word "slavery" may be difficult for us to relate to, the masters of career, money, technology, media, and power own many of us. We may find ourselves enslaved to our life-style and our cultural inwardness. Paul's words speak to us, reminding us that God is our servant owner.

About the Author: Jan Drews is a deaconess in Toronto, Ontario where she works for Canadian Lutheran World Relief, and assists refugees in their resettlement.