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I have often heard people say,

“The Whiteman brought his Bible, and took our gold!”

This statement, unfortunately, is extended to the slave trade as well, and could read:

“The Whiteman brought his Bible, and took our people away!”

Are these true?  What is the position of Bible on slavery?

There are some scriptures that people use to support the fact that Christianity endorses slavery (1 Peter 2:18-23,Ephesians 6:5-9,Colossians 3:22-4:1). In all theses scriptures, slaves are admonished to obey their masters, and masters are admonished to treat their slaves well.

Paradoxically, the Bible that has these scriptures, also contain text that we can use to refute the claims. Christianity works systematically — without aggression — but achieves its goals; and this fact is attested to by the fact that the abolition of slavery was championed by Christians!

READ Philemon 8-16

”Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting,  yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ—  I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains,  who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.

 I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart, whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel.  But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.

For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.”(Philemon 8-16)

Paul (and Timothy), writing to Philemon (a slave owner) about Onesimus (his slave) wrote:

“For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.”

We would not understand what Paul was asking for until we understand the difference between a slave and other property in those times! In those times, a slave was as much a property as a horse, a house, a farm, a chariot or a household pet! Slaves were traded in the market the way live chickens were traded! They were killed, and it was not murder; because they were considered similar to other acquired property, which could be used the way the owner wanted! There are certain movies that try to depict these things, and those who have the heart can watch “12 Years A slave”.

So when Paul tells a slave owner to consider a slave as His brother; he was saying something similar to, “Consider your horse as your brother!”, in the slave owner’s eyes!

It was unheard of! It was revolutionary! It was disruptive! But that is what Christianity does: It begins the process by first working to renew your mind (Romans 12:2).

Today, slavery, in the form it was, is no more; because they transformative process that came with the renewal of mind dealt with it!

It is a mind fight, and not a physical one.

MEMORY VERSE

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”  (Romans 12:2)

QUESTIONS

1. Do you see God working in your life?
2. Why not watch more carefully? He works slowly, but systematically and always succeds.

PRAYER TIPS

Father, we know that You work in our lives slowly, systematically, but always successful. Please open our eyes to see, so that we will not fret or be anxious.

Written by:
BENNY MALM

For:
TESTIMONY DEVOTIONAL

URGENT CALL

If you don’t know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Lord and Personal Savior, you need to do that now!

Please visit “The Believer’s Prayer” for guidance.

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SPECIAL GRATITUDE

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We thank God for counting us worthy to share in His Great Commission.