When you look at the definition of slavery you will find several explanations of what it entails. I will take the most basic definition in order to make my point of how slavery is still alive and well in the world today, yes, even here in the United States. Before you take offense at this, take a look at this definition from an online dictionary.
slavery [ˈsleɪvərɪ]Slavery is by definition, something or someone that has complete control over another person. Look up the history on slavery and you will see the many ways slavery was used in the past. I want us to consider three forms of slavery today, the 'Trafficking of humans', the 'Control of government's over societies', and the 'Control of influence's and habits'. I believe you will agree with me that slavery still exists today, even in the United States. It is prevalent every where on this planet in one form or another.
n
1. (Law) the state or condition of being a slave; a civil relationship whereby one person has absolute power over another and controls his life, liberty, and fortune2. the subjection of a person to another person, esp in being forced into work3. the condition of being subject to some influence or habit4. (Business / Industrial Relations & HR Terms) work done in harsh conditions for low pay
As you study the history of slavery you will find that not all slavery was necessarily bad. There were good "masters" that needed a workforce and obtained slaves because of poor conditions of someone's financial status. If someone was poor and had no means to support their family they would become a slave for the purpose of obtaining that support. Many slave owners treated their slaves with dignity and provided for them as long as the work was done as the owner wanted.
In other situations, in some countries, people were forced into slavery from wars and conflicts. The loser usually became slaves to the victor's. Usually these slaves were treated more harshly and were not able to obtain their freedom. Some government's even today keep their people under strict control not allowing them to have certain freedoms. A strong police or military force makes their presence known throughout the country keeping the people in a state of fear. We call this type of government a dictatorship. Usually one person controls the fate of the country.
Another form of slavery which I believe is almost the worst of all, the trafficking of human beings for profit of others. Most of these people are either deceived into thinking they will have a better life or they are kidnapped (stolen) and then sold to someone else. These people have no say in their future, they are beaten, raped, brainwashed, tortured into submission. Yes, this even happens in the United States through illegal means.
Then there is a type of slavery that we overlook and don't want to see. The control of influences from sources that control us through habits, abuse, addiction's, jealousy, lust, and any other influence or habit that has control over us.
No matter how we look at slavery, it is not the best way of life if we look at it by definition. I want to throw a bit of a curve into how we think of the prospect of being a slave. In most instances those that are slaves are not a slave because they want to be, or they choose to be because of financial poverty and don't have any other alternative. And looking at our view of slavery, it is not a good thing. I want to talk to you about your choice of becoming a slave yourself. First of all we all are a slave in some form. Let me try to explain; you may not be a slave to a human master and you live in what you call a free country. Or you may live or have lived in a country where slavery was or still is practiced and you now have your freedom in a free country. Those that were born in a free country aren't necessarily free like they think. Let's examine this to determine your status in todays world.
You may be a person that would say that no one tells me what to do, no one owns me. I come and go as I please, I make my own decisions and I bow to no one or anything. Might I say if this is the case, you are fooling yourself and live a life of deception. Stay with me and examine your freedoms for a moment. Although you have certain rights under your countries laws and you are free to come and go and express your opinion openly, you may not be as free as you think. Look at the definition again, especially the third point; "the condition of being subject to some influence or habit." Now, take a look at yourself and see if there is anything that you cannot stop doing. Is there some influence that you cannot help being attracted to? Here is a small list of habits and influences that may have control over you; jealousy, losing your temper, smoking, cursing (foul language), drugs (other than those prescribed by a doctor for your health), alcohol, sex addiction, pornography, biting your nails, gambling, video games, procrastination, and the list could go on. The point is, there are many things in our lives that can take control over us, thus, we become a slave to it. A habit is something that we have done over and over until we do it without even thinking about it. An influence is something that we have allowed into our life either by participating in something that provided the attracting influence or we just said yes to something we wanted to give into. The problem with this is that we keep being attracted to it and we keep giving into it, thus, we become its slave. It has control over us. If you do not think this is true, then stop that habit or get rid of the influence right now. If you can stop or get rid of the influence then you are not a slave to it. But mind you, you must do this permanently because when you turn your back on these things, the habit or influence will be calling out to you to come back, giving in means it still has control over you.
Let's face it, we are going to be a slave to something or someone. The scriptures tell us that we are born into sin and sin has control over us. The reason we are born into sin is because the first humans God created rebelled against their Master, God the Father, and gave up their position as a servant/slave with God their creator to satan. When Adam and Eve rebelled, they gave to satan control over this world and their lives. Now humans were servant/slaves to the "prince of this world, satan." All humans born from that point on are born with a sin nature and are slaves to it. The only way to not be a slave to sin is to become a slave to righteousness through Jesus Christ. We are bought with a price by the shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ, and when we accept Him for who He is and let Him become our Lord and Master, we become His servant/slave, or slaves of righteousness.
Here we have it, we are either slaves to this world and all of its habits and influences, or we become a slave to Christ and serve in His Kingdom. Here is something we must let sink into our minds and spirit. When someone creates something they are the owner or master of that created thing. They have the say as to what will become of it. The Creator, God, created us to for a purpose, He placed us here on this earth for a purpose, and He wants us to fulfill that purpose. Because humans rebelled against their Master, He could no longer dwell with them. They were sent out into the world to become slaves to what they had chose. Humans were created with a free will, the ability to choose to stay with their Creator or not to stay with Him. Man got exactly what he chose, life with an evil master. Still not buying it, take a look at these scriptures and let them speak for themselves; Titus 2:14, Paul is instructing Titus to not only teach these things but encourage believers to live them. In verse 14 Paul talks about being free from every kind of sin, but also of becoming one of His very own; "He gave His life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us His very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds." When we become one of His people we become as a slave, this is a choice we make, this is not a forced slavery. In Galatians 5:24 Paul mentions those who belong to Christ, which indicates ownership. "Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to His cross and crucified them there." In Colossians 4:1 Paul uses the imagery of slavery to speak to those who owned slaves and how they should treat them, reminding them that they have a Master in heaven. When speaking of Master's, again ownership is involved. "Masters, be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that you also have a Master in heaven." Scripture gives many examples of slavery and makes it clear that you cannot serve two masters. In Matthew 6:24 Christ teaches about money indicating that it too can be a master. This scripture clearly indicates that influences can have control over our lives. Money is one of the areas that can control you by making it your priority in life. "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." If you read the rest of chapter 6 you will find that Christ is giving you a look at what it would be like if you became a slave to righteousness in the Kingdom of God. You do not have to worry about continually making money to satisfy the flesh. When you give yourself to Christ you accept Him not only as your savior but you also accept Him as your Lord. You cannot separate the two. Lordship involves ownership.
Slavery that is conducted by humans is done from an evil aspect. You either submit to a life of slavery because of being financially destitute, your government is holding you hostage because of a dictator's way of thinking, or you have been forced into slavery by evil people. The worst sort of slavery though is slavery to sin. This slavery you are born into and it will hold you in bondage by any means possible. You will find that you are either going to remain a slave to sin and all its ugly vices or you will choose to become a slave to righteousness through Jesus Christ. Paul speaking to the Romans who practiced different forms of slavery shows us that we can be set free from the slavery of sin. He is speaking to believers that were taking their freedom in Christ to liberal. Paul is saying that if we are in Christ we are free from sin and sin does not have control over us anymore, but it does not give you the right to go on sinning. Paul also talks about our position as a slave to righteousness. "Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires. Do not let any part of your body become an instrument of evil to serve sin. Instead, give yourselves completely to God, for you were dead, but now you have new life. So use your whole body as an instrument to do what is right for the glory of God. Sin is no longer your master, for you no longer live under the requirements of the law. Instead, you live under the freedom of God's grace. Well then, since God's grace has set us free from the law, does that mean we can go on sinning? Of course not! Don't you realize that you become the slave of whatever you choose to obey? You can be a slave to sin, which leads to death, or you can choose to obey God, which leads to righteous living." Romans 6:12-18 Paul describes how our life can be if we become slaves to righteousness, free from the control of sin. When sin has control, it is our master because we choose to obey it. Instead, we should choose to do what is right by obeying God, and in doing so become the slaves of God. "When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God. Now you do those things that lead to holiness and result in eternal life. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 6:20-23
One last thought on slavery from the scriptures. When you study the word "servant" you will find the word "doulos" meaning slavery. The Greek word for slavery is "doulos" and the Hebrew word "ebed" is translated "slavery." There are over 245 words that have been translated as servant in the english bible's, but the word is always "doulos" or slave. From John MacAuthor's book "Slave:"
The gospel message is not simply a plan of salvation; it is a call to embrace the Person of salvation. And He is both Saviour and Lord; the two cannot be separated. To truly come to Christ is to willingly surrender your heart, mind, and will, the whole person, to the Master.So you see, slavery does still exist in the world today, you must choose whom you will be a slave to. God created man with a free will, that way you get to choose your Master, you choose who you will obey. Sin has its hold on the world and only you can decide whether you will continue to serve the master of this world, or the Master of righteousness. Make your choice now for time is running out for you to make the right decision. No decision is not an option. Without Christ as your Lord, you are already a slave to sin, you must choose to stay a slave to sin or choose to be a slave to righteousness.
