Authority Under God

Judging the Sins of the Past

It’s hard for us to look at the system of Masters and servants today objectively without seeing so vividly the sins and failures of that system. We are trained now to despise any idea of it as tolerable and it would be easy to impose this on men like the Apostle Paul.

In order to maybe get a more balanced view on that, let’s consider our own economic system for a moment.

2 In Today’s World: Capitalism and socialism.

Capitalism: is the system based on private ownership of production free and open trade, competitive markets. It has been a major cause of the success of the western world today and our modern prosperity.

However as a system, it is not without it’s failings. It places the power and control of a societies economy on those who have the resources and relies on them to not only produce wealth but to do it fairly and honestly. Will the business owner if given freedom, treat his employees fairly and justly?

The result, human abuse and neglect ensue. There’s a reason why sweatshops in Asia exist. It’s because the western business owners are more concerned with the bottom line than with helping people.

Instead of bringing about peace and greater justice, men in the name of “being legal” have taken advantage of and abused others for the sake of a profit.

Socialism- a response to inefficiences of captitalism by redistributing the wealth. Everyone get’s “their fair share.” It amounts to government theft and as a system also promotes covetous and greed. If your boss has more money than you, then that boss must have abused or exploited to get his wealth and therefore he should give you some of his money. This is covetous and greed.

So the government says, let us intervene and we will create a dream utopia that will bring about peace and prosperity for all. Yet that hasn’t happened, ever.

So Capitalism relies on the wealthy to do good and be good in how they obtain wealth, socialism relies on the government to do good and be good in how they oversee the production of wealth. Neither works because neither side wholly does good or is good. They are all sinners. (Your view of sin affects your world)

So while we are’t saying our current economy is akin to selling and buying slaves, an honest look shows that we are not as pristine as we would like to think and have our issues as well.

So what’s the answer?

True heart change! This is only accomplished in the Gospel!

Galatians 3:28 ESV

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Application: This is why what we are doing is so important! It’s the only thing that can address the issue of the fallen human heart!

Bearing Authority Under God

All Authority Is Under God

He has assigned it, and it is to be performed under him.

He is impartial in judgment.

Romans 2:6–11 ESV

6 He will render to each one according to his works: 7 to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; 8 but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury. 9 There will be tribulation and distress for every human being who does evil, the Jew first and also the Greek, 10 but glory and honor and peace for everyone who does good, the Jew first and also the Greek. 11 For God shows no partiality.

He sees your sins, he sees how you bear authority, he will not overlook it.

You cannot justify your sins.

Men are His Creatures

They belong to him, and not you. You are not permitted to treat them as you would.

What that Looks Like?

Stop Threatening

Manipulating those under you so that they do what you want. It expresses the tendency of those with power to use that power to exploit others.

b. Seek the Welfare of Those Under You

You main concern is not the bottom line, it’s not how well your employees produce. Yes we are concerned with that, but their welfare is a concern as well.

Luke 7:2–5 ESV

2 Now a centurion had a servant who was sick and at the point of death, who was highly valued by him. 3 When the centurion heard about Jesus, he sent to him elders of the Jews, asking him to come and heal his servant. 4 And when they came to Jesus, they pleaded with him earnestly, saying, “He is worthy to have you do this for him, 5 for he loves our nation, and he is the one who built us our synagogue.”

Philemon 10–18 ESV

10 I appeal to you for my child, Onesimus, whose father I became in my imprisonment. 11 (Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.) 12 I am sending him back to you, sending my very heart. 13 I would have been glad to keep him with me, in order that he might serve me on your behalf during my imprisonment for the gospel, 14 but I preferred to do nothing without your consent in order that your goodness might not be by compulsion but of your own accord. 15 For this perhaps is why he was parted from you for a while, that you might have him back forever, 16 no longer as a bondservant but more than a bondservant, as a beloved brother—especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. 17 So if you consider me your partner, receive him as you would receive me. 18 If he has wronged you at all, or owes you anything, charge that to my account.

Summarizing Paul’s Instructions to Households

The Importance of Authority and Submission

Husbands and wives

Children and Parents

Slaves and Masters

This is what it means to be filled with the Spirit, and it’s our duty to God as those who belong to him now.

The Significance of the Christian Household

Paul sees the household as an important place for Christian discipleship.

These are not negotiable

We are to be careful that our households follow and obey Christ in these instructions.

The Goal: A Foretaste of Heaven

The result will be that our homes can become a foretaste of heaven through the way that we love one another.