Luke 1:18-25

Luke 1:18-25 Zechariah asked the angel, “How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.” The angel answered, “I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time.” Meanwhile, the people were waiting for Zechariah and wondering why he stayed so long in the temple. When he came out, he could not speak to them. They realized he had seen a vision in the temple, for he kept making signs to them but remained unable to speak. When his time of service was completed, he returned home. After this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant and for five months remained in seclusion. “The Lord has done this for me,” she said. “In these days he has shown his favor and taken away my disgrace among the people.”

When he came out, he could not speak to them. What words has God given you that make you unable to speak? Do you have unbelief in your heart? Are you unable to grasp fully the mission God has given you? In the above passage, God spoke words through an angel that Zechariah could not believe. For Zechariah the barrenness was too long; too many prayers for a baby had gone unanswered. How could he believe now, even with an angel in his presence? Yet, the angel of God expected him to believe. He said, I am Gabriel. I stand in THE PRESENCE OF GOD. I AM TO BE BELIEVED, FOR I COME FROM GOD. How many of us have heard the whisper of the Holy Spirit in our hearts about a new direction for our lives, yet we cannot believe it. Our prayers have gone unanswered too long. Now we are like Zechariah and Elizabeth; we are resigned to live the rest of our lives without a baby, without our prayers answered. But we must know, if the Holy Spirit spoke it in our hearts, our prayers WILL BE ANSWERED. If the Holy Spirit has been directing our lives, if we have been in constant communion with him, if our lives have been lived uprightly and committed to him, we can rest assured, He will fulfill what He is saying to us, FOR HE IS THE THIRD MEMBER OF THE TRIUNE GODHEAD.

We ask, how do I know I am hearing his voice? How do I know my prayers are appropriate? Are your prayers for your betterment or for the kingdom of God? Now, a better living situation can be for the betterment of the kingdom of God. A great job, plenty of money, and a nice home should be a positive thing in Christian's life, but sometimes a better, easier, or more affluent life can lead people away from God, not towards him. Jesus taught us: “This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’" (Matthew 6:9-13) We definitely should pray for the necessities of life: give us today our daily bread, but beyond that we should be careful how we pray. Usually, we are not going to hear the Holy Spirit answer our self-willed prayers by saying, I am going to make you a millionaire or you are going to be the next star on television. He probably will not tell you that your stature in the world will rise immensely. But He will answer your prayers readily if you ask him to hallow his name with your life. He will answer your prayers if you pray, "Your will be done in my life." He will answer your prayers if you pray to forgive the people who have hurt you. His will for you is that you are like CHRIST as you walk this earth. God's will for you is that you reflect his likeness, so that his light shines on Earth, so that people will taste the salt of heaven. The Holy Spirit will answer your prayers and talk at great length with you about them if they are circumscribed within your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Now what about being silenced by unbelief. God has told many of you what He wants from your daily life. He has told you about his work in you, how He wants to use you. He has said I have a "baby" for you, one ready to be delivered. Can you believe? Many of you reading this breakfast desire only that God be lifted up in your life. If you believe and obey, you will see this happen. Notice the above passage says after this his wife Elizabeth became pregnant. Otherwise, Zechariah and Elizabeth took the necessary steps to become pregnant. They did not just sit in their lounge chairs and contemplate pregnancy. No, they took action. If you have a burning message in your soul, take action. If God has told you something to do, take action. Do what is necessary to fulfill the words of the Holy Spirit. Every city that heard the message of Jesus Christ, had a messenger who walked those dusty roads to bring the "good news." God's work takes action; God's work and will within you demands action. James said, show me your faith (belief) by your works. God's vision takes action; answers to prayers take action. If you want someone healed, you go and pray, and after that you go back to help in the healing process. Philip took action when dealing with the eunuch. First he explained how Jesus had fulfilled the scriptures about the Messiah, but he did not just leave the eunuch on the bank of the river. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him. (Acts 8:38) Prayers are important, but the work God has planned for you to implement them is even better. Has God been telling you He has a new direction for your life, new implementation for you to do? If He has, do it by faith. Do everything necessary to fulfill that word that God has spoken over you.

Luke 1:8-17

Luke 1:8-17 Once when Zechariah’s division was on duty and he was serving as priest before God, he was chosen by lot, according to the custom of the priesthood, to go into the temple of the Lord and burn incense. And when the time for the burning of incense came, all the assembled worshipers were praying outside. Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing at the right side of the altar of incense. When Zechariah saw him, he was startled and was gripped with fear. But the angel said to him: “Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to give him the name John. He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from birth. Many of the people of Israel will he bring back to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous — to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

Are your children or grandchildren a joy and delight to you? Elizabeth and Zechariah prayed many years for a baby, so of course, John's birth was a joy and delight to them. He became the center of their household. John experienced unreserved love, for Elizabeth and Zechariah poured themselves and their God into him. John was considered God's child. All parents should view their children in the same way. Yes, your child entered your household, but your child is God's child. Your child should never be considered your property alone, for every child is a blessing from God. If we view our children as something more than just the product of an intimate relationship, we will provide our children with a heritage that will last for generations.

Children learn love and sacrifice from their parents, and as adults, they will extend the same relationship to their children. Appropriate, affectionate relationships learned in the home provide God with people who affect the world positively. Children should always be viewed as Elizabeth and Zechariah viewed John. If we view them as special, as God's gifts, we will treat them with the tenderness and affection they deserve. Therefore, they will never be viewed as inconsequential, as a fifth wheel. They are not to be considered merely an extraneous product of a relationship. They are not to be considered burdens or insurmountable obstacles to happiness and a fulfilled life. No, they are gifts from God, to achieve his purposes, to bring glory to him.

One can easily envision John being central in Elizabeth and Zechariah's lives. But, John was given back to God, for they knew he was God's child. When our children are born, we need to give them back to God. We need to put them on the altar, and say to God, "This child is yours." Every child is really God's child. John's life was a rugged one, a demanding one. His message was a difficult one for the Jewish people to swallow, but he fulfilled his message as one crying out in the wilderness: "Repent, for the kingdom of God is near." Every child should be prepared to do God's will. Sometimes we parents prepare our children to have a better life than we have had. We want them to have more money, more luxuries, more free time, less work, and so on. Unknowingly, we set them up for an attack by the devil and for their own fleshly desires to undermine them. By seeking the best for them in the worldly arena, we may subvert their spiritual growth and maturity in Christ. We may set them up to win the world but to lose the kingdom of God.

John the Baptist did not have a better life than his parents, but HE WAS DOING THE WILL OF GOD. Your children probably will not win the best the world has to offer while doing what God wants them to do. If you think so, your flesh is driving your dreams for them. Yes, some of you might have a child gain status or wealth in the world and still remain sacrificially committed to God. But, I suspect there are not many people who can accomplish both: wealth and sacrifice. Most of the time, status and wealth come from one hundred percent commitment to the world. What do you really want for your children or grandchildren is the question? Do you want them to have it better than you in this life, or do you want them to be more committed to God than you? I hope it is the latter, for how we live this life has eternal consequences. To win the world and lose your soul is the horrible consequence of a successful self-life lived outside of Christ. John, the beloved son of Elizabeth and Zechariah, lived a life for God that ended in his beheading, but for eternity he will be known as God's choice servant, one who made ready a people prepared for the Lord.

Luke 1:1-7

Luke 1:1-7 Many have undertaken to draw up an account of the things that have been fulfilled among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the first were eyewitnesses and servants of the word. Therefore, since I myself have carefully investigated everything from the beginning, it seemed good also to me to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, so that you may know the certainty of the things you have been taught. In the time of Herod king of Judea there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah; his wife Elizabeth was also a descendant of Aaron. Both of them were upright in the sight of God, observing all the Lord’s commandments and regulations blamelessly. But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren; and they were both well along in years.

The above passage introduces us to Zechariah and Elizabeth, who were from good families, blameless in following God's commandments and regulations, yet barren after many years of trying to have a child. Now, in their old age, they were basically beyond the physical possibilities of having a child, but God had plans for them and for the world of which not even the angels could conceive, for God would make it possible for men and women to become part of his heavenly family through Jesus Christ. In the middle of history, God gave Zechariah and Elizabeth a son, born out of season. He became the forerunner of Jesus Christ, THE LORD, who would redeem mankind from their sins. Their son, John the Baptist, set himself apart from the world. He lived a holy life in the desert, crying out to the Israelites to repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near. John fulfills his message by baptizing Jesus in water. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:16-17) The kingdom of Heaven came down through Jesus Christ the Lord. Now everyone would have the opportunity to enter the Kingdom of Heaven through the gate, which is Christ Jesus.

John the Baptist was a great man. However, without the redemptive power of the blood of Jesus, he was less than the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. I tell you, among those born of women there is no one greater than John; yet the one who is least in the kingdom of God is greater than he.” (Luke 7:28) Jesus came to Earth to redeem men from their sins and to place them in the family of God. When we put our faith in Jesus Christ and his work on the cross, we enter into another domain, one not made by hands. No one can truly know God outside of his Son, Jesus. He alone has been with God, and He alone can place us literally in the presence of God. Through and IN JESUS CHRIST, we are children of God with a special name that is known only by God. This redemption is "good news" to a fallen, sinful world. The angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. (Luke 2:10) ANYONE, "WHOSOEVER WILL," can enter into this "good news," for Jesus Christ is the "good news." Without him, there is no "good news," no eternal life, the world is still hopelessly lost. Wars and rumors of war will still go on. Men, women, and children will still be burned to a crisp by war, but when Jesus walks in the door of life, He brings eternal life with him. He brings real life, abundant life. "Good News" comes to reside with men and women of faith.

Does this mean your life will be smooth, easy, successful? Not necessarily in man's terms, but in the eternal domain, YES! For when God takes over a life, "good news" has arrived. Yes, Zechariah and Elizabeth were delighted with their precious baby. He would prepare the way for the Son of God--he would answer God's call on his life; Messiah would come after him. But, he also was beheaded by Herod. He didn't win the world, but he was SUCCESSFUL; he fulfilled his mission for God. Christians, wherever you are today, whatever is happening in your life, if you are IN CHRIST, YOU ARE SUCCESSFUL. God does not make junk; he makes sons and daughters. You are his sheep; He knows your name. REJOICE IN YOUR SUCCESS, FOR YOU ARE HIS CHILD, JOINT HEIRS WITH CHRIST HIMSELF, THE HOLY ONE.

Philemon 1:12 & 17-25

Philemon 1:12 & 17-25 I am sending him — who is my very heart — back to you. So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back — not to mention that you owe me your very self. I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask. And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers. Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

I am sending him — who is my very heart — back to you. How it must have broken Paul's heart to send Onesimus back to Philemon. He didn't really know how Philemon would receive Onesimus, but he was praying that he would do the Christian thing. Can't you imagine the tears and sadness Paul had when he released Onesimus to journey back to Philemon? I am sure there was a groaning of the heart, words of endearment, and many tears. Paul was sending his son back to an uncertain future. But given the natural circumstances, Paul did the right thing: he sent a slave, a commodity, back to the household of his master. However, Paul used every leverage he could to ensure a positive future for Onesimus: welcome him as you would welcome me--charge it to me--I will pay it back--you owe me your very self--I may have some benefit from you--refresh my heart in Christ-- confident of your obedience--knowing that you will do even more than I ask. Nevertheless, as he sent his beloved friend back, he had to depend upon Philemon's walk with Christ, his understanding of brotherhood in Christ.

We also have to depend on each other's understanding of what it means to be brothers and sisters in Christ, to be Christians, to be members of the body of Christ. Many churches are broken apart by fleshly problems, by the carnal man's perspective, by the harsh words or actions of Christians. Many Christian communities are in disarray because of a failure of believers to love each other as Christ's loves us. Do we love each other as our very heart? We need to be careful of the flesh, the "old man." The flesh likes to dictate, to control, to express its own opinion readily, but it does not like to take orders, to be submissive, to be humble, to be quiet, to prefer others above itself. The flesh likes to stand out, to be magnified; it does not want to be background music, to be part of the scenery. The flesh tends to focus on the self and to be negative concerning others, and it highlights its own accomplishments. How marvelous we are to discern what is wrong with everyone and everything else, while ignoring our own failings. Positive people focus the attention on others, how beautiful and talented they are, how good things are, and how much they appreciate the work of their family and friends.

The Bible says that those who are disruptive, those with an antiChrist spirit, went out from amongst us so that they might be manifested. This is a spirit we sometimes find in ourselves? All of us can possess this spirit. I mentioned this before, but it is appropriate here. I once disagreed wholeheartedly with a new policy that was being implemented in a school where I was teaching. I was considered a confidant of the principal, but I was openly attacking this policy. One day he requested a meeting with me. In that meeting he told me that I was becoming overly negative, even disruptive. I thought for a few seconds and then said, "I am sorry. I have become too negative. I am not doing what I should do and that is to support you." By the way, that new policy was a failure. I was right, BUT I WAS WRONG. By being negative, I was not doing the right thing. I could have spoken my words and shared my opinions, but then I should have been a servant, for my job was not to administrate; my job was to implement.

We all have times of negativity, but as Christians we need to rein in that spirit and not let it control us. When a couple of our sons used to have trouble with their tempers, especially when arguing with their siblings, Jacqueline would say to them, "You need to pray and let Jesus help you control your temper. If you don't, it will control you." That is true with any of the deeds of the flesh. As children of God, we need to love each other in the church as brothers and sisters. We need to look out for the community of believers. We are his representatives here on Earth. We should display his robes of righteousness and not let careless acts of selfish disobedience get in the way of Christ's loving kindness and tender mercy. We need to allow the "old man" to die daily. When we see ourselves lifted up, we should be careful, for the flesh delights in that and feeds off fame and fortune. When others are in need of attention or encouragement, we should love as if the person is our very heart. Sometimes that is hard, for we might need love and care ourselves, but that is God's way--the way of the cross. If we listen and obey, the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with our spirit(s), and we will rejoice with great joy. We will welcome our Onesimus, love him, restore him, and anyone who God sends our way.

Philemon 1:12-16

Philemon 1:12-16 I am sending him — who is my very heart — back to you. I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and not forced. Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back for good — 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 man and as a brother in the Lord.

Galatian 3:26-29 You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one IN CHRIST JESUS. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

We are all found IN CHRIST if we believe Jesus Christ is our Lord. If we have faith in Christ's work on the cross, we are heirs to God's presence and to eternal life. In the above passage, we see Paul reminding Philemon of his and Onesimus' position IN CHRIST. They are no longer master and slave in God's kingdom, they are brothers in Christ. God sees them as brothers. In God's domain, there is no longer male nor female, privileged or not. (Lands and possessions were passed from father to son if possible in the Jewish community.) Believers are not seen as Jew or Greek, chosen or unchosen. (God chose Abraham and the Jewish people as his people.) If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. As a Christian, you are considered to be chosen, receiving Abraham's blessing, which is Jesus Christ. You are of Abraham's seed, not seeds, AS IN MANY, BUT YOU ARE OF HIS SEED, WHICH IS CHRIST JESUS. Abraham's seed, Jesus Christ, has come to bless the world and to bring salvation to all who put their trust in him.

Paul reminds Philemon that his slave is now a Christian, and Christians look out for each other, for they are IN CHRIST, of the same household of faith. Christians should deeply imbue love, for God is love. Love never fails, but endures to the end. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. Therefore, Onesimus was to be loved by Philemon as a brother IN CHRIST. Paul loved Onesimus as a son; Philemon was to love him as a brother. In the body of Christ, we should love each other as brothers and sisters. Our love should be known by all. People should know that we love people, that we are different from the world. John wrote, they will know you by your love. Sadly, sometimes the world knows us by our negative thinking, our narrowness, our complaining spirit, our doomsday face, not by our love. We should be the most joyful, happy, contented, loving people on the face of the earth.

But I suspect if you asked the world about Christians, they often would have an opposite view of us. And many of us have earned it. Many times we are ready to criticize and yet willing to overlook our own faults and failings. We readily discern sin, but not our own hypocrisy. We can tell the world quickly what they should do, but our actions many times betray our mouths. Too often, we do a poor job of portraying Jesus Christ to the world. Are we quick to forgive or are we quick to judge? Do we have a meek spirit or is ours a troubling spirit? Philemon was not to treat his brother in Christ as a slave anymore; he was to treat him as a brother. Neither should we treat the world as a master treats a slave. God did not make us overseers, judging and criticizing everything the world does. If we are loving, does that mean we have no influence over the world? No, we have more influence, for goodness exposes darkness--light drives out darkness.

Do you suppose Onesimus became slothful and lazy because he was treated better by Philemon when he returned? No, Christians reveal Christ by how hard they work. Onesimus would no longer need Philemon looking over his shoulder to ensure that he worked hard as a dutiful slave, for Christians are people of integrity with allegiance to Christ their Lord. They work hard. And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. (Colossians 3:23-24 KJV) Paul wanted Philemon to act as a Christian in his dealings with his former slave, revealing Christ's love to Onesimus and to world. I am sure he did right by Onesimus when he returned. For the Lord's sake, may we do right by everyone, even those outside of the family of God who are watching to see light in the darkness.

Philemon 1:7-10

Philemon 1:7-10 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints. Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I appeal to you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul — an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus — I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains. Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

Mark 10:28-31 Peter said to him, “We have left everything to follow you!” “I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields — and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”

Philemon was a servant of God, a strong follower of Jesus Christ. Therefore, he probably would have succumbed to Paul's wishes concerning Onesimus no matter what they were; however, Paul did not approach Philemon with his authority as an apostle but as a fellow brother IN CHRIST and as a friend. Jesus said his followers would have many homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields. Onesimus, Philemon, and Paul were all IN CHRIST, part of the family of God. They were brothers and sons IN CHRIST. Paul, because he was old, considered Onesimus to be his son, for Onesimus was serving him as a son would serve his father. Consequently, Paul was protective of Onesimus; he was concerned about his future. He wanted the best for Onesimus, and he wanted him to be free. Yet Paul did not use his authority to order his brother IN CHRIST, Philemon, to do the right thing; rather, he beseeched Philemon to do the right thing. He exhorted him to free Onesimus, for he knew that this once useless slave would now serve Philemon with vigor either as a freeman or as a slave, for just as Philemon's heart had been changed, Onesimus' heart had been changed.

Do we function in the world with a changed heart or do we still function in the world with the old man or woman's heart? Do we treat people as Christ would treat them or do we treat them as the carnal, fleshly person would treat them? As I see Christians heckling, booing, and angrily shouting at their representatives in Congress, I wonder what kind of heart these people are manifesting. I suspect the heart of the old man or woman, supposedly dead at the cross. We can resurrect the old person anytime our fleshly passions get the best of us, but that does not further the cause of Christ. Paul in the above passage could have demanded his way. He could have lambasted Philemon for treating his slave so poorly that he forced him to flee from his presence. He could have made all kinds of claims against Philemon's personal integrity. He could have reminded Philemon of the fruit of the Spirit and how "real" Christians' love always protects, never keeps records of wrong. But he didn't, he treated Philemon with kindness and consideration. He just reminded him that we are all brothers IN CHRIST, and as members of the same family, we should treat each other well, always looking out for the best interests of our brothers and sisters IN CHRIST.

Paul treated Philemon as we should treat our friends, loved ones, and people in the world. He treated him as Christ treated us. Christ died for us; He was willing to go the second mile. Are we like that or are we like the stubborn mule that sits down and will go no further? Do we balk and become boorish? Do we yell, scream, holler, even lie to get our way? Philemon is a good book to read often because it reminds us of servanthood, of how we should deal with each other even when we have power to force our will upon others. Jesus, the King of kings, was a servant. We also should be servants for that is our reasonable service, our privilege, our joy, as children of God and joint heirs with Christ Jesus.

Philemon 1:17

Philemon 1:17 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, to Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, to Apphia our sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your home: grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, because I hear about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints. I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ. Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints.

Philemon was a Christian and a slave owner. One of his slaves, Onesimus, ran away, and was at the time of this letter serving Paul faithfully in Rome. Paul is writing to ask Philemon to treat Onesimus, who is now a Christian, kindly when he returns to his household. Runaway slaves who were caught were sometimes so brutally punished by their masters for running away that they were either maimed for life or killed. To maintain the institution of slavery, slaves had to fear running away; therefore, horrific punishments were meted out to them. In this letter Paul beseeches Philemon to treat Onesimus on his return as he would greet Paul: So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. (vs 17) Of course, this was asking a lot from Philemon, but Paul reminded him that Onesimus was now his brother in Christ. You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatian 3:26-28) Paul desired that Onesimus be set free, but we do not know whether he was ever set free, for slavery was a major component of the economy, integrally interwoven in the lifestyle of the ancients.

Paul considered himself not only as a prisoner of the Romans, but also as a prisoner of Jesus Christ. His life had been sold willingly to Jesus Christ. He was no longer his own; therefore, slavery, regardless of the kind, was not a primary concern for his life. As a freeman he became a slave for the cause of Christ. Paul said, everyone is a slave, either to the world or to Christ. Therefore, it did not make a big difference to Paul whether you were free or a slave. He believed the soul of man was either a slave to the devil or to God. Today, in America, we have a lot of freedom. We can decide to do pretty much what we want to do. But, we are still slaves to something by our own choices.

Paul thanked God for Philemon because he had placed his faith in Jesus Christ. He had sold himself to Jesus Christ for God's glory. As American Christians we don't think that way. We equate Christianity with freedom. We idolize freedom, we worship freedom, but the Bible does not view freedom in the same way we view freedom. The Bible indicates we have freedom to serve God, not ourselves. We have freedom to bring glory to God, not to ourselves. As Christians we are under the constraints of the Word of God. In the Old Testament we see the Jews expressing their freedom by serving other gods and marrying women who were not Jews. God judged them for that. They did not have freedom to do whatever they desired. Christians are likewise under the constraints of God's will. We have freedom to serve others and to follow God. When we focus on our freedom, what we deserve and what we should get out of life, we are straying from freedom in Christ, which is to serve the Lord God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. This is the freedom we have inherited.

Well, what about the institution of slavery? What should be done about slavery today? We should abhor it, we should fight it, for it binds men to an earthly master. All men should be free, for they were made in the image of God. Jews were not to own other Jews. But still, slavery is not the most significant issue in the context of a Christian life. We are commanded to serve men readily for we are Christ's servants. We are taught to look out for others because we are Christ's servants. The world knows us as Christians, his servants. Therefore, we should not be our own, but his. I have been asked why does the Bible not speak out strongly against slavery, for even Paul asked slaves to serve faithfully the froward master. Paul knew the actual realities of life. We are all slaves to something, and without Christ, regardless of being free or not, we are still slaves, either to sin and death, or to life eternal. Whether free or not, we will be judged by the master we serve. If we serve Christ Jesus, we have life eternal; if we serve ourselves and Satan, we will be damned. Yes, Jesus Christ has come to set us free; yes, we are free indeed, but we are free to serve the one we love, which is our reasonable service. It is a paradox, but when we stand fast in the freedom of Christ, we willingly serve with all that is within us.