Blessings to you, loved ones.  It has been a busy week for me.  I’m sorry to say I haven’t really talked to anyone this week, but you are all in my prayers.  I had the opportunity to speak at the National Church Conference of the Blind convention this week.  The theme verse for the week was 1 Corinthians 10:31, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God.”  When I saw that, several other passages came to mind regarding doing what we do for His glory, and about His glory.  I was asked to do a short devotional message and also one of the main sermon slots, so I tackled two others, figuring the theme would be adequately covered by the featured speaker.  My schedule now being pretty full, you all are getting both messages, one last Sunday and one tomorrow.

But there’s something i hope you noticed about that verse above.  It begins with a “therefore.”  That’s a sure sign that there is context that should be examined.  Now in this case, the admonition will stand on it’s own and I am making no criticism of the choice, but it provides an opportunity to talk about context, and the passage we’ll examine tomorrow brings up a red hot issue in today’s world.

In fact, I have looked at this several times with a desire to teach on it, but because of the context I shied away from approaching it.  The part that sprang to mine is Colossians 3:23-24, “Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”  Great quote, right?  But look back one verse and you find, “Slaves, obey those who are your human masters in everything, not with eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.”  See why I kept putting it off?

Don’t Christians teach that slavery is wrong?  Pretty much everyone in the western world believes this now, but we all know it wasn’t always so, and we are arguing over whose version of history is right.  If we are going to rely on the Bible as our standard and agree that slavery is wrong, what do we do with passages like this one? Does it have any relevance in today’s society?  I hope you will join us tomorrow as we try to answer these questions.

Love y’all!

Larry