Today, we hear Paul’s words about something very fitting for the Lenten season. That is, how we ought to LIVE in regard to others around us and how we serve them in our various vocations. Today Paul speaks to us about our modus operandi as Christians in the world. (that is, if you will, in being salt and light to the world).
And to do this, Paul speaks to those who have particular VOCATIONS, that is, particular callings and places in society in which they find themselves serving others in various different ways. He speaks to those of low degree, and he speaks to those of high degree. He speaks to wives, he speaks to husbands and fathers, he speaks to slaves and slave masters, he speaks to the rich and to the poor, he speaks to pastors, and deacons, and to widows who serve the church… (nuns). He speaks to everyone, and he speaks to them as they find themselves in whatever their given situation is, and as he does so, he does so in a manner to impress upon all of them ONE – SINGLE – UNIFIED MESSAGE. That in all they do, in all they say, in all they are, that in whatever position they find themselves in this world others find them to be to ALL PEOPLE a source of light and life and love and goodness. That in whatever situation we find ourselves in, that those who know us SEE CHRIST in us.
So, beginning from the bottom (of course, in a way that completely offends our world), he speaks of women – and then, in a way that offends our world even more, he speaks of slaves, and then, and this is the height of his offence to our modern world, he speaks to slave masters (without condemning them). Yes, I know. Offensive and alien to our context. And yet that is the world that Paul lived in and ministered in. Beginning with Women he says this – do not go around this world (in the church or out of it) trying to seem beautiful in appearance. Adoring yourself with fancy hair and pearls and jewellery and the latest fashion trends in clothing or whatever. But rather, adorn yourselves with good works and patience and kindness and gentleness and generosity. Let yourselves be seen as godly before you’re seen as pretty. Is that such a bad thing to say? Our world would probably think so. And i suppose I get why. Because people have taken this text and run with it. Forbidding fashion and hairstyles and whatever else. But that wasn’t paul’s point, was it? No. Not at all. Paul’s point was not to say what is and is not a sin. He’s actually not talking about sin at all. But of BEAUTY. He’s not talking of what you CANNOT do (at least not at the moment), but he’s trying to fix your eyes on the goal, and the prize, and the point here of our lives in this world. It’s to shine as a light of goodness and godliness and graciousness to others IN OUR RESPECTIVE VOCATIONS. And so he says, as he does, that as women, your glory is not found in how you LOOK but in how you love.
Paul’s first word to women is that their beauty is not found first and foremost in their flesh or in their aesthetic but in their lives lived in the way of love. Adorned not with braids or jewellery (though they aren’t forbidden), but adorned with GOOD WORKS. Seen as being BEAUTIFUL not because of how they look, but because of how they love those around them. This is what Paul first says to the women hearing him. But he doesn’t stop just there, then he addresses what good works these are IN THEIR CONTEXT, IN THEIR SOCIETY (so if this sounds wrong to you, then understand firstly that this is a completely different world than you come from).
he says of these good works and way of being in this society, that they are probably not what you expect them to be, but that they’re these things; that women are to live as they do in the world in way that isn’t loud or bossy or authoritative. But submissive, and quiet, and with self-control.
Women gained the right to vote how long ago? (just over 1 century ago). And how long ago did Paul write this? (2 thousand years ago) Women did not have the right to vote in Paul’s day. He was not going into the modern context of female liberation and telling all of the women to be silent, but was going into a context where they were already expected to be these things – to be silent, to be submissive, to be self-controlled, and to serve their husbands in running the home and in bearing children. And THAT is what he called them to do, and he called them to do it in a way that went above and beyond the cultural standard of the world around them. Let me say it to you in this way, Paul asked the women to live in the world that they found themselves in, in a way that sought the good of those they served rather than their own good. That sought to please their husbands, and care for their children, and to show the love of the crucified Christ to those who (OUR MODERN CONTEXT) would call their oppressors, and they did it without complaining or demanding social and systemic upheaval so that all might see the good works, the humility, the service, and the love of these Christian women who served in these contexts. And our contexts might have changed, and the things you find yourselves having to bear with might have changed, but God’s call to you to bear with them for the sake of those around you that all might see the love of Christ in you HAS NOT CHANGED.
And if that offends you, then hold onto your seats because next Paul’s going to speak to us about another group that our modern world sees as horribly oppressed, and that is “the slaves.”
Let all who are under the yoke of slavery regard their masters as worthy of all honor
Why? Is it because slavery is right, good, and excellent in Paul’s eyes? No. It’s so that, as he says, the name of God and the teaching of the church may not be blasphemed. Again, Paul walks into the situation and the context of the world, and he speaks to the Christians dwelling in that situation, and encourages them to BEAR WITH their situation. And to go BEYOND the call that the world has (fairly or unfairly) placed upon them. And that should remind us of our Lord’s own words in the Holy Gospel, shouldn’t it? If one strikes you on on the cheek, turn to them the other that they might strike it also. If one takes your coat, give them your cloak also. If one forces you to go with you one mile, go with them two. Just so, and in the same way, if your husband and the whole world around you expects you to live under what you consider oppression, then do it as though you were a free servant that loves the one you serve anyway. Slaves – treat your masters with HONOR. And – with love. Serve them and obey them, love them and cherish them. That is what God is saying. And He’s not saying it because slavery is anymore right than public crucifixion is. Yet He endured crucifixion for you, didn’t He? He suffered that FOR YOU and did it purposely out of love for those who put Him there on that cross. He didn’t try to correct their behavior, but rather, He suffered them to do it unto Him.
Love those who hate you, do good to those who persecute you, and forgive those who wrong you,. That is what Christ has commanded us to do, and that is what He lived in His own life until His blood was poured out as a sacrifice FOR us. Is it any surprise to us then that St. Paul his apostle speaks the exact same message to us?
And yet, Paul’s mind is so far away form that of our own context and our own modern western world, that not only does he encourage those suffering what our modern context calls oppression to endure in those situations for the sake of love, but he actually doesn’t even call the SLAVE masters, or the husbands to “liberate” those under them in a way that would satisfy the modern world, NOT EVEN THE BELIEVING ONES. Rather, he says to those who are slaves, that they should in fact ALL THE MORE serve in love and humility their masters if their masters are Christians. As He says, Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful to them on the ground that they are members of the church; rather they must serve them all the more, since those who benefit by their service are believers. And this isn’t the first time we hear this notion from Paul either. He says the same thing to us in Colossians chapter 3 & 4, saying 22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, not only while being watched and in order to please them, but wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever your task, put yourselves into it, as done for the Lord and not for your masters, 24 since you know that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward; you serve the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong has been done, and there is no partiality. 4 1 Masters, treat your slaves justly and fairly, for you know that you also have a Master in heaven
Paul doesn’t condemn this stuff, and neither does he justify it. He doesn’t say whether its wrong or right, or okay or not okay. Because frankly he doesn’t care. He’s not writing a social ethic. He’s not a politician. He’s not a social justice advocate. And he never calls us to be those things either – rather, he calls us to bear with whatever situation we find ourselves in that the WORLD (AS IT IS; sins, and blemishes, and all) might see Christ in us, instead of simply seeing fairness in the public policies that we call for. And to use that situation for the good.
And that brings us all the way from the bottom of society with the slaves, all the way up to the top with their masters and everything in between, JUST as Paul does in Colossians 3; where he says, 18 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them.
20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.
21 Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged
See, Paul speaks to everyone as he finds them in any and in every context. He speaks to those at the bottom of society which our modern context views as oppressed and encourages them to endure their situations for the sake of love and self-sacrifice. To serve as though they were free, nay, even to serve as though they served Christ Himself. And of those who our world views as oppressors he says to treat those under them as God treats His servants. That in those at the bottom of society we might see an image of Christ the suffering servant giving Himself up to death by our own hands for the forgiveness of our own sins. and in those at the top of society we might see an image of God as Father and Christ as ruling King.
And in the middle of it all he speaks of those who hold office in the church. Whether they be pastors or deacons, or widows (which, is really what we call nuns today, if you couldn’t tell), that they are to be picked from among the whole by reason of their good works, and that they are to, in all things, be examples, and beacons of light, and life, and goodness, and godliness in the world of darkness.
That in everything the church as it’s found in its officers, or the church as its found in its individual members of every walk of life would be seen as the world around it as salt and light, as useful and rich in good works. That those of us who are slaves might serve as free employees passionate and caring about the work we do. That those of us who are husbands might love their wives as Christ loves the church. That those who are slave masters might treat their servants as members of his own family household. That those who are rich might give abundantly to all who need it. That those who are pastors or deacons or nuns might be seen as instruments of Christ, so that in all that we do, and all that we are, whether we are at the bottom or the top, that in all things we might show forth Christ and His love freely given to the whole world.
And why is this important? It’s important because, if we seek to, this Lent (or at any time) to engage in the HOLINESS and godliness seen in Christ we need to grasp the notion that forgiveness and mercy and grace is at it’s very forefront. And that means that the way of holiness is not one that seeks to move the world around it in a way that tolerate LESS evil, but that forgives, and endures and suffers more of it. Not to merely request forgiveness for ourselves, but to cover the sins of others by our love for them.
To seek the holiness of Christ, and an embodiment of Christ-likeness, is to first of all, and primarily, suffer sin to be done unto us by others. Not to call for its end. To show forth Christ is not to call for an end of injustice. But to transform injustice, by grace – by forgiveness, and by sacrifice. Bear the sins of others. Endure the sins of others. And return their evil with your good towards them.
Give up social justice for lent.
Give up political liberation for lent.
Give up your “right” to fair treatment for lent.
And instead love the broken world around you. Such as He has done, let us so endeavour to do in this Lenten season. Let us walk the way of the cross.
In the Name of the + Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
Amen
