"The Christian And Their Work” Series

Before we dig into our passage, I want to first deal with a question that is often asked: “Why didn’t Paul call for abolishing slavery?”

Observation #1: Though Paul didn’t condemn slavery, he didn’t condone it either.

Observation #2: Paul doesn’t offer a theological rationale for slavery, like he does for marriage (see Ephesians 5:21-33, where he says marriage reflects the relationship between Christ and the church), which indicates Paul didn’t see slavery as an institution established by God, as is marriage and family).

Observation #3: Paul’s main concern was to provide perspective on how Christians should live in an unjust society. Like Jesus, he never tried to subvert the Roman political. He didn’t engage in social protest or lead a revolt against the evils of the institution of slavery. Why?

Reason #1: Christians had no power to overthrow slavery. Christians were an insignificant group in the Empire. Their religion was unlawful, and they were politically powerless. They resided within the Roman empire, not the good ol’ US of A, where we have freedom of speech, assembly, and opportunity to elect leaders that reflect our values. But even with the freedoms we enjoy, as Christians, we find ourselves in the definite minority in our country on certain issues, too.

Reason #2: Christians worked within the system to bring change. A good example is the letter written by Paul while in prison, to Philemon in regards to his slave, Onesimus, who had stole from his master and run away to Rome, where he met Paul and became a believer. It is a personal appeal to Philemon, a fellow brother in Christ to forgive and restore Onesimus who had become very dear to Paul. Paul urges him to forgive Onesimus. Paul had explained the Gospel to Philemon and led him to Christ. He not only wanted Philemon to forgive Onesimus, but to consider sending him back to Paul, to help with his ministry. Paul sent Onesimus (“useful”) back as a slave - as he was required to do by Roman law (Onesimus was someone else's property, not his to set free) - but with the request that Philemon set him free to return to help Paul.

Reason #3: Christians believed the best way to reform society was to transform individuals by the power of the Gospel.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” - Romans 1:16a (NIV)

God tolerates evil in this world to allow more people to come to Christ.

“He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance.” - 2 Peter 3:9 (Amplified)

Who’s God patient with? With unbelievers, so they might have more chance to repent. But He’s also patiently waiting for believers to see that our focus needs to be on seeing people transformed by the power of the Gospel and through that, transform our world!

Christians should have more faith in the power of the Gospel than we have in the power of the government. That being said, in the wonderful country we live in, we should take advantage we can to work toward social justice, but ultimately, trust in the power of the Gospel.

“While we cannot defend the indolence or cowardice of Christian centuries which saw this social evil but failed to eradicate it, we can at the same time rejoice that the Gospel immediately began even in the first century to undermine the institution; it lit a fuse which at long last led to the explosion which destroyed it.” - John R. W. Stott

Let’s now turn our attention to what Paul says here, and apply what he teaches us about the Christian and their work. (READ TEXT)

1. Instructions to slaves (employees) - 3:22-25

A. The manner of the Christian’s work - v. 22

1) Do your work completely - v. 22a

A prospective employer told a job applicant, “I’m sorry, but I can’t hire you. I don’t really need anyone right now. There just isn’t enough work to keep you busy.” The applicant said, “That’s OK. You’d be surprised how little it takes to keep me busy.” You don’t want to be that guy. You want to be the guy, who does like my dad told me: “Always do your job plus a little bit more.”

2) Do your work consistently - v. 22b

It’s been said that integrity is who you are when no one is looking. Be a person of integrity at work. Be the kind of person who aims at consistency. It’s better to be good consistently than great occasionally.

3) Do your work committedly - v. 22c

Make your work an act of worship. It’ll change everything!

I once had a man come to me saying how he hated his job and was terribly unhappy. I showed him this passage, encouraging him to see his job as a way to serve God, rather than just a way to earn a living. The next time I saw him, he said he did as I’d encouraged and was the happiest he had ever been at work!