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REFLECTION
“A message to slaves” is the theme for our reflection. A slave is considered the property of another person who is accustomed to obeying instructions from the owner. In the context of the New Testament era, the term “slave” was often used to describe a variety of conditions that included a person who had been bought, an indebted person who had to serve his creditor to clear the debt and enemies captured during war. A message to slaves in the context of our reflection means an admonishment to people who are subordinate to others. Titus 2:1-15 explains how different groups within a community should live according to “sound doctrine,” meaning their actions and attitudes should align with their faith. We shall reflect on the fact that slaves or people who are in subservient positions must live a life worthy of commendation according to their faith.

Beloved in the Lord, today slavery has been abolished in all forms, but the key lesson is that a believer in a subservient position must live a life of integrity and trustworthiness as a demonstration of their faith. Paul instructed Titus to “Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 10 and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Saviour attractive. (Titus 2:9-10) Both slaves and their masters became Christians through the missionary activities of Paul. Just as Paul will admonish masters to treat their slaves with dignity and love, he also admonished slaves to be humble and trustworthy, living according to the teachings of the Gospel. In our generation, we have Christian bosses and subordinates; we are all expected to live according to the instructions of the Bible so that we can make Christianity attractive to those in the world, even as we seek to please God in our respective roles as masters and subordinates. Again, having been redeemed with the blood of Christ, we are to submit to Jesus Christ as His slaves and remain obedient and faithful to Him. For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19 but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. (1 Peter 1:18-19) Let us always remind ourselves that we are bonded slaves of Jesus in every endeavour we find ourselves.

In summary, we have discovered that slaves or people who are in subservient positions must live a life worthy of commendation according to their faith and the teachings of the Gospel. Shalom.

PRAYER

May the Holy Spirit empower us to be faithful and obedient slaves of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.