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REBORN: BEYOND SLAVERY AND FREEDOM (COLOSSIANS 3:5-11)

REFLECTION

“Reborn: beyond slavery and freedom” is the theme for our reflection. Reborn means regeneration or attaining a new nature through baptism in Christ. Slavery and Freedom in the theme represent social class or status. Reborn: beyond slavery and freedom means that, due to our regeneration or new nature in Christ there is no longer a difference between a slave and one who is free. Christ has bridged the gap and destroyed the social barriers that have hitherto separated people. We shall reflect on the fact that our rebirth or regeneration transcends or is beyond any form of classism, therefore in Christ, we must embrace one another with love and respect for human dignity.

Beloved in the Lord, our salvation or regeneration must break the barriers of classism between one who is a slave and one who is free. In the ancient Roman empire, slavery was legal and Roman citizens kept slaves as properties. However, as part of the preaching of the Gospel and the sign of rebirth or regeneration, believers who had slaves were encouraged to embrace their slaves as brothers and sisters in the Lord. It is, for this reason, that Paul wrote to the Colossians Christians, “… and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Gentile or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. (Colossians 3:10-11) In other words, in Christ, there is no distinction among us. We brothers and sisters or children of our heavenly father. For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile —the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:12-13) Paul appealed to Philemon to accept his former slave Onesimus, when he wrote, “Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— 16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord. (Philemon 1:15-16)

Beloved in the Lord, as people who have experienced rebirth or regeneration through Christ, let us eschew all forms of classism, tribalism or ethnocentrism in our churches. Everyone deserves to be treated with love and dignity no matter their status in life. Jesus is our perfect example, in His ministry He associated Himself with the poor and rich, Jews and Gentiles, sinners and those who considered themselves holy. He has instructed us, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another.” John 13:34-35

In summary, we have been reminded that our rebirth or regeneration transcends or is beyond any form of classism, therefore, we must embrace one another with love and respect for human dignity.

PRAYER

May the Holy Spirit strengthen to us a life that pleases God. May remain united in Christ, and love and embrace other people in our congregations irrespective of their class, tribe and race. Amen.