In November I wrote about JD Gunter who compared the provider to a slave on CBMW's website.
(Read the article at, http://recoveringfrombiblical.blogspot.com/2013/11/when-provider-is-compared-to-slave.html)
I wrote that it was quite fitting that a man should be compared to a slave since we are all called to serve, and I still agree with that statement, but yesterday as I sat in a prayer meeting and read Colossians 3, suddenly the truth hit me like a lightning: Paul gave the same advice to all Christians, whether male or female, slave or free, for he used the phrase, "whatever you do."
Whatever you do
This seemingly inconspicuous phrase decimates the entire structure of "Biblical Manhood and Womanhood." Let me explain.
Whatever you do includes everything. It includes our jobs, our marriages, our kids, our houses, our hobbies. It includes all the people we come in contact with, all the things we do, all the things we say. And here's the key: we should do and say all things as if we did and said them to Jesus.
Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism (Col 3:15-25, NIV).
There is no difference between a slave and a freeborn as far as the Christian life is concerned, for we are all bought with the same price.
For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord's freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ's slave. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men (1 Cor 7:22-23, NIV).
If there is no difference, why would Paul give different instructions?
He didn't.
He gave the same instructions to all, but he emphasized different aspects of the Christian walk depending on the earthly trials we each face. Sin is the reason for the seemingly different instructions.
Wives, submit to you husbands.
Husbands could be quite trying in those days, and it is still true today. They can be demanding, demeaning, giving little or no respect to their wives. Paul instructs the women to nevertheless co-operate with their husbands, and not be difficult, disrespectful, and ungracious in their own behavior. Paul does, however, not single women out, for all Christians should be "peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere" (James 3:17-18, NIV).
Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh.
This goes hand in hand with the instructions to the wives. Clearly some husbands were harsh towards their wives. Paul instructs the men to love their wives, and in the letter to the Ephesians he explains how they ought to love their wives: the way Christ loves the church. Yet, before we make the husband a Messiah, Paul told all Christians to live the life of love, and imitate the love Jesus has for the church (Eph 5:1-2).
Children obey your parents.
Children should obey their parents until they are able to make decisions for themselves. There is no argument here.
Slaves obey your earthly masters.
It is here that we find an argument. Paul tells the slaves to obey their earthly masters but as if their masters were Jesus himself.
This is an instruction Paul takes directly from Jesus.
"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?' "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.' (Matt 25:37-40, NIV)
If slaves should serve their masters as if they were Jesus, is this not true of the husband as well?
Can a man command God?
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