Ember Saturday in September
Posted on September 23, 2023 by under
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 7:20-24 (NKJV)
7:20 Let each one remain in the same calling in which he was called. 21 Were you called while a slave? Do not be concerned about it; but if you can be made free, rather use it. 22 For he who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave. 23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men. 24 Brethren, let each one remain with God in that state in which he was called.
Devotion
What does Scripture teach about slavery? St. Paul is clear: it is better to be free than a slave. But he is not saying that it is sinful to be a slave, nor to own slaves. Thus, some slavery is an “adiaphoron”—something which Scripture neither commands nor forbids (see Formula of Concord, X). Not all adiaphora are equal. Both slavery and marriage are “adiaphora”, but marriage is encouraged, while slavery is dangerous. The Lutheran theologian, Valentin Ernst Loescher, teaches a distinction between kinds of adiaphora and warns against dangerous ones: “The above-mentioned and similar adiaphora, even if they are used in moderation, are … mistakes, to which one can advise no Christian, and he does better if he avoids them” (The Complete Timotheus Verinus, Vol. 1, ch. 8). Some adiaphora are helpful; others are dangerous. Slavery is not, of itself, a sin, but it is a “mistake” which is best avoided.
St. Paul’s concern, though, is not earthly slavery, but spiritual. “He who is called in the Lord while a slave is the Lord’s freedman. Likewise he who is called while free is Christ’s slave.” Spiritually speaking, all men are slaves of something—either of sin or of Christ. The slave of Christ is truly free—free from sin, from death, and from fear. Christ Himself is a good Master, and more than a Master; He is a gracious Lord and a loving Husband, who cherishes and protects His own.
Collect: O Lord, we beseech Thee, let Thy continual pity cleanse and defend Thy Church; and because it cannot continue in safety without Thy succor, preserve it evermore by Thy help and goodness; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Collect for the Ember Saturday in September
We beseech Thee, O Lord, that our weakness may be upheld by Thy healing mercy, so that what of itself is falling into ruin may be restored by Thy clemency; through Jesus Christ, Thy Son, our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Ghost, ever One God, world without end. Amen.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
