Ephesians 6:5

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.

(v5, NIV)

Paul's progress through addressing roles in submission or requiring submission has finally reached slaves. This is probably what most will think of when they think of submission. Someone who is a slave or a prisoner is definitely in submission to their captors. Apparently, it was common for people to be slaves or have slaves back then. Therefore, it was likely that some who have begun to follow the Lord Jesus Christ were in fact slaves. I'm guessing that some may have thought it wrong for them to be slaves. Some may have thought or questioned God as to why he would allow us to even be slaves? This is taken to the broader question of, "Why would a loving god allow suffering?". This question is found all too often in our North American society that focuses on God's love. It is true that God is love, but that isn't all that God is. Regardless, these slaves may have been not obeying their masters, somehow believing that their disobedience to their masters was justified. Paul clearly instructs them to obey their masters.

How do we obey Christ? We should obey him with respect and fear. He doesn't want us to give him lip service. Our obedience should be out of a pure heart and a sincere desire to obey him. God can tell if you're sincere or not. Why would you offer up to him halfhearted obedience when he demands the best? I'm currently reading the book "Crazy Love" by Francis Chan, recommended and given to me by John Lam. "It's not about love." - John Lam. It's about God's love for us. In this book, Francis Chan talks about how we often feel its okay to give God our leftovers. He references a few passages in Malachi to reveal God's opinion on the matter.

When you bring blind animals for sacrifice, is that not wrong? When you sacrifice crippled or diseased animals, is that not wrong? Try offering them to your governor! Would he be pleased with you? Would he accept you?" says the LORD Almighty.

"Now implore God to be gracious to us. With such offerings from your hands, will he accept you?"-says the LORD Almighty.

"Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would not light useless fires on my altar! I am not pleased with you," says the LORD Almighty, "and I will accept no offering from your hands.

(Malachi 1:8-10, NIV)

How evil is it when we give God our leftovers. When we try to offer it to God, God doesn't want it. Would you want something halfheartedly given to you? No offering would be better than a half-hearted offering.

So slaves, obey your earthly masters just as you obey Christ. Your obedience to Christ is first and foremost of course.

Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him. Were you a slave when you were called? Don't let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so.

(1 Corinthians 7:20-21, NIV)

Here in first Corinthians, Paul talks about living as you were called. In particular, he addresses those who are slaves when they were called. It may have troubled them that they were still slaves to an earthly master even though they found freedom in Christ. Paul calls them to remain as they were called. This doesn't mean that you shouldn't attain your freedom if it is possible; Paul clearly addresses that matter. However, remain as you were called, even if you were a slave when you were called. Paul is not without comforting words here.

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. Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to.

(1 Corinthians 7:22-24, NIV)

We must remember that though we may be slaves to men, we are the Lord's freedman. Slaves find freedom in Christ even though they are bound to their earthly masters. Those who are free are in fact Christ's slaves. Do not let it trouble you.