The letter to Titus (Part 8)

Our relationship with our employees/employers should be one that is God-glorifying. We cannot claim to love God, honour our church leaders, respect the members of our church and maltreat our employees/employers. Whatever we do to any one should be done with the understanding that we are doing it for the Lord. As Paul continued his instructions to Titus concerning raising a church that meets God’s standards, Paul also admonished Titus to encourage slaves to serve their masters well. At the time of this letter, slaves were workers bought by a master to work for them. Slaves were assigned several jobs depending on what the master does. Sometimes, slaves would escape from their masters just like Onesimus escaped from Philemon. Some of these slaves also heard the gospel and became believers. Paul admonished the slaves through Titus that their new life in Christ should not be that of rebellion but of obedience. Doing that, they will make the teaching of Christ worthwhile.

Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.‭ (Titus 2:9-10)‬

In Titus 2:9-10, Paul admonish Titus to “Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Saviour attractive.” The following key points are important.  First, slaves were to be taught to be subject to their masters in everything. Second, slaves were to please their masters. Thirdly, slaves shouldn’t talk back to their masters. In addition to these, slaves should not steal from their masters. However,  by their godliness,  slaves should rather show to their masters that they can be fully trusted. According to Paul, such a lifestyle will make the teaching about God our Saviour attractive. Here, we see Paul redefining the Slave-Master relationship in every way. The popular notions about this relationship in the days this letter was written was not so attractive. Some slaves were fond of squandering their masters’ resources and such slaves, if arrested, were dealt with harshly. Here Paul’s letter was to have a relationship that is not built in the world’s system but on the understanding that in Christ, there is neither slave nor free. A cordial and lovely relationship between a slave and the master cancels the societal perceptions of this relationship.

Similarly, we have also been called to demonstrate Christ wherever we go. Our workplaces are very important marketplaces for evangelism. We may not have the pulpits to preach at work, but by our lives and approach to our work, we should make it obvious for all to know that we are different. We should learn to appreciate those who are our leaders. Serving in love and humility is not a sign of weakness. We should stay away from malicious people, wicked co-workers, and serve with all diligence as if working for the Lord. We should not make room for people to doubt our faith. Our conversations should be seasoned with salt. We should be trustworthy in all our ways. We cannot promote Christ with our words and promote the devil by our lifestyles. That is living two different lifestyles. As we desire to make Christ known everywhere and everyday, our workplaces should also experience the love of Christ through us. If Jesus was your manager, would you have served Him like you are serving your current manager? If your answer is NO, you still need to have a change of mind.

God’s child is an heir of God’s kingdom

The children of God are heirs of the kingdom of God. Whatever inheritance is available for the children of God is made possible through our fellowship with the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Paul in the book of Galatians admonished the church that “If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise” (Galatians 3:29). The promises made to Abraham are applicable to us. We are not slaves but God’s children through adoption. Therefore we are beneficiaries of all the good promises of God. But, as long as an heir is underage, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. The heir is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father (Galatians 4:1‭-‬2).

So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. (Galatians 4:7)

According to Paul, “when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world. But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave, but God’s child; and since you are his child, God has made you also an heir” (Galatians 4:3‭-‬7). The fulfilment of our sonship is the finished work of Christ. Through the death of Christ, we were translated to the status of heirs and we have the Spirit of God in our hearts. Now God is our Abba; an emotional name of fatherhood only used by children.

Understanding our state before we came to Christ and our state after we came to Christ enables us to identify the uniqueness of our adoption as children of God. Also, when we fully understand that we can cry out Abba Father unto God, it affects how we see our relationship with Him. Know that slaves cannot use Abba, slaves are not heirs of the kingdom, slaves do not have access to the Father’s glorious riches, slaves cannot boost of sonship, and slaves are slaves. Knowledge of our position in God helps in our relationship with Him. God is a loving Father but also a disciplinarian. He loves His children so much that He had to send His begotten Son to die to random the children back to Him. But, God hates sin (not the sinner) so much that He punished His own Son for the sins of the world.

When we understand our place in the kingdom, we demonstrate a kingdom mindset. We do not allow sin to rule over us.