What shows when you remove your mask? (Photo: DerrickT)

“I know you, and I don’t blame you. You don’t want to go out with her ’cause she’s a little chubby.”

[Awkward pause.]

“What? I’m just keepin’ it real.”

I’m not sure how many times I’ve heard this or similar conversations, but it’s often enough for me to want to give up on authenticity.

Why authenticity seems so superb

Authenticity seems wonderful. In a world of fakes, authentic people – down-to-earth blokes who reveal who they are – stand out.

A big criticism of Christianity is that we’re all a bunch of hypocrites. That’s how I’d argue if I weren’t a Christian. Jesus even called us on it more than anything else.

So really, authenticity is a response to hypocrisy. We assume if we’re authentic enough, we’ll shed hypocrisy.

Fair enough.

The deal-breaker for authenticity

Authenticity is a direct connection between our thoughts and our lips (and sometimes even our lives). Maybe that’s not what it originally meant, but that’s what it’s become. And that’s NOT good.

We’ve grown to assume that if we’re thinking it, we might as well say it… because otherwise, we’re not being authentic, we’re not being open.

But the Bible promotes no such thing. It says…

“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” -Ephesians 4:29

In other words, shut up unless you’re helping someone.

That’s a narrow gate. Not much in my thought life meets those criteria. But that’s what the Bible says, which implies that most of my thoughts are going to be closed, not open.

Wait, Marshall – aren’t we called to confess?

Yes, but that’s only part of it.

“He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confess es and forsakes them will have mercy.” -Proverbs 28:13

This is the verse that does it for me. Keeping sin covered isn’t a good idea. I’m all there. Instead, though, it says to confess and forsake sin.

If we look at this in context with the “shut up unless you’re helping someone” verse, the confession only helps if we’re then going to forsake.

That’s my problem with authenticity.

Authenticity promotes confessing but not forsaking, keepin’ it real, but not making it better.

Confessing is a means to an end. Confessing helps with forsaking. But if the forsaking never happens – if it’s not even on the agenda – the confessing only hurts.

• I don’t want or need to hear how you really feel about your boss if you’re not changing your mind.
• I don’t want or need to hear how you really feel about your spouse’s failings if you’re just complaining.
• I don’t want or need to hear what’s on your mind unless…

1. It’s going to improve someone else.

2. It’s going to improve you.

For some of you, this isn’t much of a problem. You’re good with tongue biting, or at least better than most. I’m not, and I think for many of you caught up in the authenticity craze, this is a problem for you too.

So what I propose instead

As you know, I’m not a boycotter – I’m a supporter. It sure seems like I’m boycotting authenticity, right? So you might wonder what I support instead.

For a long time, I didn’t know what to call it, but finally I think I’ve found a word:

Sincerity, and why I choose it over authenticity

Sincerity is a “should” – authenticity is an “is.”

Sincerity is moving, progressing, and working to improve. Authenticity is a stagnate description of the status quo.

• With authenticity, it’s easy to say, “Well, this is how I am. I’m real. You either like me or not. Take it or leave it. I come just as I am.”
• But sincerity says, “I know I’m flawed, but I’ll do everything I can to be amazing. I come not as I am but as I could be.”

Sincerity implies trying – authenticity implies fact. Being sincere is about being what you really care about and being who you really want to be, not just who you are.

I don’t hate authenticity. It definitely has its place. But I think it’s overrated. Authenticity should never be the goal. Authenticity is for knowing where we are so we know how to improve.

“And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more… that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ…” -Philippians 1:9-10

Serving Suggestions:

(1) First off, I’d like your thoughts on this. Have you noticed authenticity going too far, or am I distorting it too much? How do you feel about it?

(2) If you think authenticity needs some improvement, how do you think we can do it?

• Can you do for Christianity what Michael Hyatt did for Thomas Nelson?
• Learn how to trust your friend
• NOW: The “get rich quick” trick for getting things done
• How to help someone overcome temptation
• Why you can’t just “be yourself”

I don’t want to imply slavery is a perfect, all-inclusive way of describing the Christian’s relationship with God. Sounds small to me. And if you don’t think of yourself as a slave, this might not change your mind – and I’m not necessarily here to do that.

What I’d like to do is open you to a different perspective, a perspective that often goes overlooked. To help flesh that out, here are my responses to eight common objections to slavery and how it relates to Christian life.

Objections:

1. Slaves have no choice
2. Slaves are blind followers
3. Slavery implies cruelty
4. Slavery has a bad reputation
5. Slaves earn their livelihood
6. Slavery doesn’t apply to Christians
7. Slaves aren’t invested
8. God doesn’t call us slaves

[Note: This is a long read for a post (1,700+ words), so you might consider breaking it into sections, skimming it, or giving up on it altogether. Just a warning.]

Objection 1: Slaves have no choice

“Slaves have no freedom – they’re taken against their will.”

Yes, they do have choice – they can disobey. Of course their master would probably take away their food rations or whip them or lock their thumbs in stocks, but they can choose that outcome.

Yes, I realize this is a snarky answer. It’s a crucial distinction, though, because we usually assume away those lousy options. Slaves always have a choice, but the consequences of disobedience are too terrible to consider.

That’s right on with the gospel. You and I can do what we want, but we won’t like the consequences. It’s not like God wants to punish us – in fact, He’s trying not to. But He’ll always let us choose, even if it squashes our souls.

A more sophisticated question might ask if forcing anyone to make such a decision is right. But that doesn’t conflict with Christianity because we already accept that everyone must make a decision to either obey or disobey God.

Our options are open, just like a slave’s – but just like the slave, we don’t want to consider the disobedient side.

Objection 2: Slaves are blind followers

“Slaves don’t know what they’re doing – they follow because they have to.”

If you get past the part about slaves always having a choice, this one stops making sense as well.

Slaves are aware of their choice to obey. They know or at least have a good idea of the consequences of not following. I’d guess slaves follow even closer than those who have nothing at risk. They might not always understand the overall plan of the master, but they certainly know the details of what they’re supposed to do.

As Christians who’ve heard the gospel message, we’re in the same position. We’re not blind followers. You and I know where sin leads – but we also know where Christ leads. We might not understand everything, but we pay close attention.

Objection 3: Slavery implies cruelty

“When we think of slavery, we think of cruelty, poor conditions, and excessive labor.”

As difficult as it is to swallow, what’s so bad about cruelty?

This objection starts with false assumptions. We assume cruelty, poor conditions, and excessive labor are morally wrong. But in slavery, why’s it wrong? If the master owns the slave, then the master can do whatever he wants with his property.

You and I object because we don’t go far enough in understanding that slaves are property (and as a result, have no rights of their own), and we are God’s property.

The common secular argument against slavery usually cites some intrinsic human value or right.

I don’t believe in human rights, and I don’t believe in intrinsic human value. Just like anything else, humans are only worth what someone is willing to pay for them. The only value we have is the value God places on us and pays for us.

And God did pay for us, even after creating us, so we belong to Him. We might object to humans owning other humans, but that doesn’t apply to God. God does own humans. Since we’re God’s property, He can do what He wants with us.

Thankfully for us, God loves and wants what’s best for us, but He has every right to do anything He wants. There’s nothing wrong with a craftsman using his chisel however he wants, even if it means destroying it.

This knowledge is what leads you and I to such intense thankfulness… because we recognize that God really could lock our thumbs in the stocks, or worse, but instead He blesses us.

Objection 4: Slavery has a bad reputation

“I understand what you’re saying, Marshall, but is this the best image to present for Christianity, considering the reputation?”

Christianity has a bad reputation too, but that’s no reason to gloss over it, right?

Would I introduce slavery to someone who’s on the fence about Christ? Well, perhaps not. Perhaps it’s too intense at first (but so is starting with Jesus dying and coming back to life).

Then again, perhaps I would. I do here. Part of the challenge in explaining anything to an unsaved person is keeping it simple and practical. I think slavery fits both those, and I don’t think it’s necessarily  something to shy away from explaining, even to someone without much Christian background.

If slavery’s that much of a turn off, so is believing that Jesus is Lord (they go together).

Objection 5: Slaves earn their livelihood

“A slave earns his right to life by the work he performs, but we don’t have to earn salvation.”

That’s only partly accurate (the salvation part is entirely accurate). Sure, a slave might receive better treatment for obeying, but I don’t think it’s direct compensation.

Slaves don’t earn wages. Slaves don’t strike bargains. I have a hard time thinking of slaves as receiving compensation for their labor. Isn’t that what separates slaves from servants or the surfs of the Middle Ages?

Instead of compensation, slaves are treated better or worse depending on how much their master likes them, but that speaks more to the master’s character than to the slave’s work.

I find that comparison much closer to how God chooses to bless us, based on His character, not our labor.

Objection 6: Slavery doesn’t apply to Christians

“Galatians 4:7 says, “Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.”

This is certainly one of the trickiest objections. I struggled (and still struggle) with it too. Of course, I can only agree what what the Bible says in that passage.

At the same time (same book even), we read…

“For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” -Galatians 1:10

And the word “bondservant” here is the same word as in Galatians 4:7 where it’s translated as “slave.” In fact, as you know, it’s not just in Galatians:

“Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ…” -Romans 1:1

“Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ…” -Philippians 1:1

“Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ…” -Colossians 4:12

“James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ…” -James 1:1

And on and on.

So going off the Scripture, it seems to me that slave and child both apply at the same time depending on the specific perspectives. And I love that. I love that we’re children and disciples and friends and slaves of Jesus Christ.

Objection 7: Slaves aren’t invested

“A slave does not have a vested interest in his master’s business while a son does in his Father’s business.”

Without a closer relationship, how can you and I care about the work God calls us to do? Aren’t we just doing it out of duty instead of out of a desire to further glorify God?

This comes back to our motives. Why are we serving God? Why are we choosing to submit to Him?

The only way slaves can be invested in their master’s projects is if they care for their master. And that’s the beauty of God’s work through our lives. He isn’t a tyrant. He isn’t a domineering slave driver. He’s a caring master who wants what’s best for us.

Perhaps the father/child metaphor does work better here. But somehow realizing how feeble I am as a slave makes God’s blessings that much sweeter and drives me to love Him back.

Remember: we’re only thankful for what we know we don’t deserve.

Objection 8: God doesn’t call us slaves

“The word ‘slave’ is debasing, while Christ called us friends and made it possible for us to be sons and daughters of God.”

This is almost the same as Objection 6. But the question here is, if God doesn’t call us slaves, should we?

Consider this: a king or president or anyone in authority might ask us to call him “Jon” instead of “Lord High Jon the Majestic,” and we’d feel honored. But does that negate the authority?

I think the same applies to God. God, in His love for us, doesn’t order us around the way we would imagine a slave driver to order around his slaves. But that doesn’t necessarily abolish the master/slave relationship.

As I said in the comments before, I don’t think it’s either/or – I think it’s both (or all). I bring up the slave side because it’s the perspective that’s ignored, even though the Bible and the disciples and Jesus support it as well.

“And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all.” -Mark 10:44

Serving Suggestions:

(1) What do you think? Did these hit on some of your biggest doubts about slavery?

(2) Update me. What else would you like me to explore about slavery? If you add suggestions in the comments, I might bump them up into the post here. I’m still trying to wrap my head around slavery as much as anyone, so I’d love to get your response.

*****

[Thanks to Patricia, Bernard, and Stuart who commented on the other post and those who emailed me suggestions on this. I'm always interested in your thoughts and how I can make this site better. Thank you for helping.]

• Slavery 101: Fundamentals for slave life
• Success = Submission
• Top 10 reasons to become a slave
• What I’m learning from questions, Monkey Town, and questions about Monkey Town
• Ask yourself these 40 questions to evaluate your premises

Who knew slavery could be so amazing (Photo: ManojVasanth)

Last week, I shared an introduction to slavery, but I didn’t explain why becoming a slave matters or why Christians should be all over it. That was a mistake – I should have started with this article.

In a era where slavery is marginalized, its benefits  go unnoticed… forgotten. Who wakes up in the morning thinking, How can I become a slave today? I write about it, but that’s certainly not me. How could I expect you to care about slavery?

In this article, I’d like to step back and share some of the benefits. It’s not a complete list, but I hope it gives a feel for where I’m coming from.

Just to clear this up, these are reasons to become a slave to Christ. I don’t recommend becoming a slave to anything else, so this list doesn’t necessarily apply to other kinds of slavery. But I think it certainly applies to you.

And now, here are the top 10 reasons to become a slave:

1. God instructed you

“Receive, please, instruction from His mouth, and lay up His words in your heart. If you return to the Almighty, you will be built up…” -Job 22:22-23

“Take firm hold of instruction, do not let go; keep her, for she is your life.” -Proverbs 4:13

I could go on and on. God gave and continues to give instruction so you and I won’t be idiots (or do idiotic things). Listen.

Oh, one more because I like the way it’s worded:

“Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge,But he who hates correction is stupid.” -Proverbs 12:1

2. You’re a slave anyway

As Bobby D. sang…

“Well, it may be the devil, or it may be the Lord, but you’re gunna have to serve somebody…” -Bob Dylan, Gotta Serve Somebody

It’s true.

“No servant can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” -Luke 16:13

You might as well make a deliberate choice. You might as well make the right choice.

3. Slaves change the world

The people who change the world – not just change but positively impact the world – are slaves. They’re slaves because they dedicate their lives to their pursuit.

Changing the world is a tough job. It doesn’t happen on nights and weekends or Easters and Christmases. Sure, it can start there, but the real world changers give their lives completely, thoroughly… all the time.

That’s what slaves do. And the results are amazing.

4. Slavery is liberating

At first, no one sees this coming – it sounds oxymoronic (perhaps just moronic). You almost have to try slavery to know how liberating it is. Here are two ways I’ve felt the liberation:

1. Slaves aren’t responsible for results.

When you’re a slave, it doesn’t matter how the results turn out – or at least you’re not responsible for them. After all, the results come because the plans worked. The master makes the plans – the slave follows them. If the plans don’t work out, the slave’s not at fault.

Slaves enjoy results but aren’t responsible for them.

The slave is only responsible for obeying. Doesn’t sound so liberating… but try it – you’ll see.

2. If you’re a slave to God, then you’re free from sin.

“[K]nowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.” -Romans 6:6

Freedom from sin is amazing. I don’t have much else to say about that for now. Again, try it and see.

5. You’ll become more than your puny self

Slaves aren’t individuals – they’re part of their master. As an individual, you’re only as big as yourself, but as a slave, you’re bigger than yourself.

• You carry the master’s reputation.
• You receive the master’s protection.
• You work on the master’s projects.
• And more…

If your master’s lousy – doesn’t have a good reputation, can’t protect, and has meaningless projects – then of course slavey might not feel so attractive. But if you have a spectacular master, you’re part of something spectacular. God is spectacular.

6. People will love you for it

God’s slaves serve others. In all fairness, people will hate you for that more than like you… and certainly more than love you. But the people who do recognize what you’re doing for them will be thrilled out of their minds.

How many movies have you seen or stories have you read where someone saves someone else’s life, and as a result that someone else devotes his or her life to the life saver? Gratitude is powerful.

So sure, not everyone will recognize your life-savingness, but those who do… just imagine. Or don’t imagine… go live it.

7. People will respect you more

Even if no one loves you, they’ll respect your devotion. Not everyone agrees with everyone else – most don’t. But most people do respect those who are totally, utterly devoted to what they believe and what they do.

Slaves are totally devoted.

People trust those with devotion. If you’re not devoted, why should anyone care? But if you say you’re devoted and are, they’ll pay more attention.

8. It’s the only meaningful way to give back

When someone gives so much to someone else, the thankfulness piles up. And when you and I are blessed beyond anything we can imagine, the only meaningful response is to spread that blessing to others. (I love the gratitude echo.)

• Paying back with money isn’t enough.
• Paying back with time isn’t enough.
• Paying back with energy isn’t even enough.

The only meaningful response is to give your life back… and even then, you’re not paying back – that’s impossible. Instead, your sharing back. And that’s more meaningful than any business, quid pro quo transaction.

9. You’ll live your best life now

I love how cheesy this sounds, but like the others, it’s true.

God doesn’t give instruction so He’ll benefit – He gives instruction so you and I will benefit. His instruction is our lifeline. We’re dependent on God – His instruction keeps us safe.

But more than safe, God’s instruction blesses us beyond any life we could build from our own plans.

10. God commanded you

Finally, and this goes all the way back to the top, become a slave because God commanded you. God asks nicely, but if that doesn’t work…

“The fear of the Lord i s the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His praise endures forever.” -Psalm 111:10

When all else fails, serve the Lord because there’s no other option. You are lost without Him. If Jesus is your Savior, He has to be your Lord. Otherwise, He can’t save you. Depending demands submitting.

For a bondChristian, Jesus is Savior and Lord.

Serving Suggestions:

(1) Become a slave. Nice and practical, right? I’ll followup on this in the coming posts. Subscribe (Email/RSS) to stay in the loop.

(2) What are some common objections to slavery? What are your reasons for avoiding it? I’m working on a post that will answer some of the common problems we have with slavery, so I’d love to get your feedback on this. Perhaps I’ll use some of it in the next part of this series.

(3) For those of you who’ve read all the way to the bottom, this isn’t a serving suggestion – I just want to say thank you.

• Your objections to slavery (and my responses)
• Slavery 101: Fundamentals for slave life
• Success = Submission
• “Everyone’s bad”: A guide to optimism
• Keeping a bite-sized list to help you refocus and WANT to serve others

• Question: What’s more important than the Holy Grail?
• Answer: The Holy Bible.

And Thomas Nelson doesn’t get it.

I’m a fan of the New King James Version. I’ve read from the same Bible my whole life: a NKJV, Thomas Nelson Bible. I re-covered it, though, because the old one fell apart (and I never take it out of its leather case). That’s why I hated Thomas Nelson.

Thomas Nelson makes lousy Bible covers.

Zondervan makes decent covers. Theirs even look snappy. Some even have snaps to hold them closed, not that snaps are everything.

But Thomas Nelson covers fall apart like wet noodle igloos. It’s ridiculous. Books, especially Bibles, should last more than a couple years. It’s criminal. And Thomas Nelson workers are Nelsinners for it. Okay, that’s childish name-calling – what I mean is, I didn’t have much respect for the company. At all.

Until Michael Hyatt

Michael rockin' the guitar - now to start rockin' those Bible covers (Source: Digitizer)

As you know, Michael Hyatt‘s the CEO of Thomas Nelson. He’s blogged for over ten years now (since before they were called blogs), but I only discovered him recently.

[Some back story about my reading habits: I read way too many blogs (but I'm not stopping). For the most part, they're disposable for me - I'm all about the latest content. I don't mine many archives anymore. Having said that...]

I read Michael’s archives. I ate it up… and still do. (If that’s not a recommendation, I don’t know what is.)

While reading through Michael’s posts, I began to notice my perception of Thomas Nelson switching. In a good way. Finally, a couple weeks after discovering Michael, I found an old interview with him on God’s Mac.

In the interview, Michael mentioned that part of the significance of his blog is that it reveals a face, a person, behind the Thomas Nelson company. Michael’s blog humanizes the company similar to how Jesus humanized God.

“God was not content to remain aloof… He became a man.” -Michael Hyatt

When I heard that, I knew I had to write this post. He’d harpooned what I’d come to realize about him, and about Christianity.

I still don’t like Thomas Nelson, Bible covers, but I don’t hate the entire empire anymore. Because for me now, Thomas Nelson has a face: Michael Hyatt.

Does Christianity have a face?

As Michael said, Jesus came as a tangible representation of God for us. But now that responsibility has passed to us, to you and I as Christians, as Christ’s church.

Christianity is a global, Goliath of a religion with no face… or at least the face seems hidden. Can you and I become that face, that person who shows others that Christianity is not a company, not an ideology? Can you and I make it real?

I have friends who hate Christianaity almost as much as I hated Thomas Nelson. I hope through me they learn to hate it a little less… or at least feel the humanity of it.

I love what Paul said:

“Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God.” -2 Corinthians 5:20

Serving Suggestions:

(1) First off, if you work for Thomas Nelson or know someone who does, I’d love for you guys to start rockin’ some decent Bible covers. I’m not talking about stylishness here – I’m talking about not-fall-apartness. (To be fair, I haven’t had any experience with the covers since 2007. Let me know if I’m wrong and they’re fantastic now.)

(2) For regular readers, check out Michael Hyatt’s blog. Do you get a better feeling for Thomas Nelson by reading it? How? Why?

(3) Don’t worry – I’m not going to leave you hanging too long. I’m working on a post about how, in practical terms, you and I can help humanize Christianity for the world. For now, how do you feel about it? How are you already doing it? How could you and I do it better?

• Why I’m NOT a big fan of authenticity
• Your objections to slavery (and my responses)
• Slavery 101: Fundamentals for slave life
• Why you can’t just “be yourself”
• People pleasing vs. people pleasing: What’s the difference?

Photo: ktylerconk

Once upon a time, everyone understood slavery. You either owned a slave or were one. Sure, some cultures traditionally never had slaves, but for the most part, it’s been a normal part of life. Until now.

Now slavery’s banned.

(But secretly – or not so secretly – I’m bringing it back.)

Because of this general distaste for slavery, most of us don’t really know how it works (or worked) anymore. How much do you know about it? If you have any input you’d like to add, let me know.

For now, here’s some of what I’ve learned about slavery. I’ve wanted (and needed) to write this for a long time. It’s the backdrop for bondChristian. Now that we finished the Others-oriented fruit of the Spirit series, I thought I’d go into more detail on the topic of slavery over the coming Wednesdays. This is the introduction.

What’s a slave?

A slave is someone who’s completely subservient (not the most popular word in the world) to a dominating influence. A slave obeys a master, but more than that, the master actually owns the slave as a type of property.

So the master not only can but should use the slave as a tool – that’s the entire purpose of the slave. The slave’s whole mission in life is to offer the best possible service to the master.

So what’s a master?

The master is that dominating influence. The master has complete control over the slave to do anything with the slave.

The master has an independent purpose or motivation. While the slave’s purpose is completely tied to the master, the master’s goals and ambitions might be separate and do not have to involve the slave at all.

Again, the master is supposed to use the slave to accomplish his own purposes. A master who does not use his slave to full potential is wasteful and stupid.

What’s the master/slave relationship like?

The master/slave relationship is asymmetrical. Equality is out of the question. The master is in a position of authority, and the slave is in submission. The master can entrust a slave with responsibilities, but these decisions are always made by the slave on behalf of the master.

Depending on the purposes of the master, the master can actually treat the slave very well. On the other side, though, the master could treat the slave like garbage. It all comes back to what the master wants, not the slave.

If the master treats the slave well, the slave is probably going to like the master more than if the master treated the slave badly. Either way, though, the purpose of the slave stays the same: to serve the master whether the slave likes it or not.

Both the master and slave must trust each other

• The master gives the slave instructions then trusts that the slave will follow them.
• The slave trusts that the master’s instructions are good and follows them.

Of course, though, the master has more control in the relationship. If the slave fails to follow instructions, the master can punish the slave or get rid of the slave altogether. But the slave still has to follow instructions even if and when the instructions fail.

So the slave is far more dependent on the master than the other way around.

Who’s responsible for what?

In general, the master is responsible for results, while the slave is only responsible for obedience. I say “only,” but obviously that’s not always (ever?) easy.

• The master makes the plans. The master says what to do. If the plans work out, fantastic for the master. If not, not so fantastic for the master.
• The slave follows the plans. The slave does what the master says. If the slave follows the instructions, fantastic for the slave. If not, not so fantastic.

So while “success” for the master might be measured in results, “success” for the slave is measured in obedience and submission.

That’s a key issue in slavery. The slave, as an extension of the master, represents the master. The master is accountable for what the slave does, both the good and the bad. If the slave pulls off some amazingness, the master gets the credit, but if the slave louses everything up, the master gets the blame.

The slave only gets credit or blame for obedience or disobedience.

A master and his slave is like a craftsman and his chisel

• If the craftsman carves an amazing, wooden figurine, the master gets all the credit. Someone might note his fine chisel, but no one gives the chisel credit for the job well done.
• If the craftsman produces some mangled mess, the master gets blamed. Someone might say, “Dude, you need to get some sharper tools,” but it’s still the craftsman’s fault for using that lousy chisel.

The master is like the craftsman here, and the slave is like the chisel. The chisel is only required to perform its specific function well: to stay sharp, to stay strong, and so on.

The slave doesn’t have to worry about the final product – just obey the master’s instructions.

How does slave property work?

As property, the slave has no rights. The master can use the slave for anything and treat the slave however he wants. In a sense, the master has the rights from the slave – the master has the rights the slave doesn’t have.

This means the slave is completely within the master’s control but also benefits from being the master’s property.

Benefits of being property

No one can mess with the slave without also messing with the master. Again, it’s like someone vandalizing the craftsman’s chisel. If the craftsman cares at all about that chisel or really his property in general, that vandal’s is in trouble. Since the master is superior to the slave, the slave has better protection as a slave than if the slave were fending for itself.

The slave enjoys part of the master’s reputation and comforts. Obviously, being the master himself is better than being the slave. But if the slave has to choose between an excellent master and no master at all, often the reputation and comfort is better than going on alone. For example, which is better, being slave to a king or free as a serf? Freedom’s not always best.

Who is that master? Whose is that slave?

This is the last point I’d like to bring up. The master is a “who” – the slave is a “whose.” Bringing everything I’ve already mentioned together, you can see how the master is defined independently, as an independent person. The slave, though, is defined by the master.

The very identity of the master and slave are different. It makes sense to ask who the master is because the master has an independent purpose, but it doesn’t make sense to ask who a slave is. Instead, we can ask whose a slave is.

And in this way, the slave is able to point directly to the master while still keeping the reputation of the master:

• [Speaking of the master] Q. Who is that? A. The master
• [Speaking of the slave] Q. Whose is that? A. The master’s

In each case, the focus comes back to the master… the way it should. And that is what slavery is all about.

Serving Suggestions:

(1) Go read up on slavery. Study it. There’s more to learn from slavery than you might think.

(2) Share what you find in the comments.

(3) Over the coming weeks, I’ll match slavery to Christianity. See if you can find how that might work? How do you as a Christian function as a slave?

• Your objections to slavery (and my responses)
• Success = Submission
• Top 10 reasons to become a slave
• What I’m learning from questions, Monkey Town, and questions about Monkey Town
• Ask yourself these 40 questions to evaluate your premises

Source: 1Happysnapper

The Others-oriented fruit of the Spirit series is the longest series I’ve published here so far. It’s taken us from love to self-control, meeting all the funness like longsuffering along the way.

In general, the series was about shifting from receiving the
Spirit only for ourselves to promoting the Spirit and its fruit in others. It’s one of those needs we all have but don’t always realize. And certainly, at least in my case, rarely share.

I appreciate everyone who’s followed along. I hope you’ve enjoyed it and are able to spread the Spirit to others.

To make it easier, here are the links to the entire series all in one place.

The complete, Others-oriented fruit of the Spirit series

-Others-oriented fruit of the Spirit

Synopsis: The introduction tells what the others-oriented version of the fruit of the Spirit is about. It’s all about helping others develop the fruit of the Spirit in their lives instead of just in yours. (But I just said that here, didn’t I?)

-How to start someone’s love

Synopsis: How do you start someone’s love? You love them… in a practical, obvious way. It’s important here to focus on showing love that doesn’t require response.

-How to boost someone’s joy

Synopsis: Joy comes from taking our focus off the individual difficulties that are in front of us and focusing instead on the overall abundance God’s given us. When you and I help others realize their purpose and meaningfulness through Christ’s sacrifice, their natural response is joy.

-How to guard someone’s peace

Synopsis: Peace is calm through turmoil, not absence of turmoil. Guarding peace is preventative – it prevents problems before they occur. You can guard others’ peace by reminding of the protection God’s already given.

-How to increase someone’s longsuffering (patience)

Synopsis: Patience is what we want when longsuffering is what we feel. As with peace, longsuffering means enduring through the trials. So we can help others by enduring alongside them, not necessarily trying to take away the difficulties.

-How to magnify someone’s kindness

Synopsis: Kindness is subtle, so it’s often missed. Don’t miss it. You and I can magnify it by looking for the kindness in others and showing thankfulness for it.

-How to expose someone’s goodness

Synopsis: Goodness is tied to what God’s done, not what any specific person’s done. Exposing someone’s goodness is about bringing them back to what Christ did on the cross so we can all be amazing.

-How to appreciate someone’s faithfulness

Synopsis: Leaders the world over want faithfulness in their followers, but often, at least for myself, I don’t truly appreciate those who are faithful. You and I can do this by valuing the faithfulness that’s already present and adding more through encouragement.

-How to cultivate someone’s gentleness

Synopsis: Sometimes people aren’t gentle because they’ve never had an opportunity to practice it. They don’t know how to be gentle. I suggest letting them (and helping them) practice on you.

-How to train someone’s self-control

Synopsis: I think training for self-control is more effective when it’s focused on changing influences rather than directly attacking habits. So to help others with self-control, focus on surrounding friends with influences that promote self-control instead of selfishness.

Finale

If there’s one thing I’d like to leave you with from this series, it’s this:

You can spread the fruit of the Spirit by…

• Pointing to Christ and what He’s done for us and…
• Teaching others to do the same.

The Holy Spirit is all about pointing to Jesus. So when we encourage others to do the same, the Holy Spirit works through them.

When it comes down to it, that’s what this (and everything else I share here) is all about.

Serving Suggestions:

(1) If you’d like to come back to this series in the future or share it with others, you can bookmark or point to this post.

(2) In the comments, which of these did you find most useful?

(3) Now go spread some fruit.

• The Automatic Mentor: Why “people watching” might change your life
• YES: The “get rich quick” trick for gaining serving experience
• Courage to serve
• Teaching kids (and yourself) to share
• Why I’m NOT a big fan of authenticity

Source: fellowcreative

As much as many of us are on Facebook, I still think it’s underused. Before you run away, thinking this is just another Facebook post, please hear me out. Especially if this is all new to you – I’m sharing for you.

Facebook has helped me develop deep friendships with people I only see every couple months… or in some cases, only once. In particular, I’ve kept up with friends from college and summer vacations even though I’ll most likely never see them again face to face.

And it’s not just for college kids anymore. If you’re not the college age, I’d argue that what I’m about to share can have even more impact for you because, for now at least, you’re still a minority doing this stuff. Here’s what I suggest.

Before you meet someone (read: now)

Get on Facebook. Most of you, blog reading, Internet junkies, are already connected. But for some, facebook is new territory. If that’s you, I encourage you to try it out… for at least a month.

Sign up for an account on the home page. You’ll need to confirm your information through your email account. Once you’ve done that, add some friends and update your profile information (and please put up a real picture of yourself). If you feel completely lost, ask someone for help. Friends who are already on Facebook are usually more than willing to help you out.

In fact, they’re probably excited to help you with it… like I am. Check it.

When you meet someone for the first time

Ask them if they’re on Facebook. This can accomplish three things:

1. Shows your interest. People love to have friends who are interested in them. As I’ve said before, the interesting people are those who are interested.

2. Keeps the connection casual. If this is your first meeting, asking for a phone number is too personal. Even email implies you have a specific purpose for emailing. Facebook is different. Facebook is purely to get to know one another. It breaks the entry barriers to friendship.

What if this new friend isn’t on Facebook? Perfect because it…

3. Provides a talking point and builds your reputation. If they’re not already on Facebook, you have an opportunity to talk about the topic and introduce them to something that’s potentially helpful for them.

Some people give Facebook a genuine shot but still don’t like it. More often, though, they just never give it the chance. They might set up an account, but because they don’t connect to any friends or feel comfortable around the site, they move on. Some people are like that.

Most people, at least from my experience, love Facebook once they’ve given it a fair chance. If you’re the person who introduces your friend to Facebook and your friend loves it, your reputation has already bumped up, just from that single tip and some encouragement to go for it.

[Note: When I say it "builds your reputation," I mean that in a good way. It builds report with your friend - it's a form of trust, which is crucial for any friendship.]

When you get home

Add them on Facebook. It’s important to get this right. You want to be the person inviting your new friend. Being first gives you two advantages (advantages for serving the other person):

1. Shows interest. This is the same as above. You want to be the one interested. Aren’t you excited when someone requests that you add them as a friend? That excitement is what you want to give your new friend.

2. Keeps the pressure off. Again, when you’re first meeting someone, you don’t want to go through the awkwardness of trying to give your facebook extension (like this: facebook.com/marshalljonesjr). You want this connection to be as passive as possible for your friend (at least in the beginning).

If you’re friend gets home, finds your friend request, and doesn’t feel like connecting with you further, your friend can just ignore your request. Better to have tried though.

Considering the potential benefits of building a strong friendship, this really doesn’t take much effort (on either part) at all. But it does go a long way in establishing a friendship that otherwise might not have ever developed past casual acquaintance.

Serving Suggestions:

(1) Join Facebook (if you’re not already on). Update your profile info, especially that picture if it’s difficult to recognize you.

(2) Get out and meet new people. And when you do, remember their names, so when you get home (or back to a computer), you can…

(3) Add new acquaintances on facebook.

• Learning from mY Generation: Stories on the art of listening
• 22 retweetables and a ton of tweeple to follow
• Convo-Tip #5: Own a conversation starter
• Convo-Tip #4: Ask for advice or opinions
• Convo-Tip #3: Speak like a singer

This is a guest post by Kyle Reed from Thoughts About Nothing. If you’re interested in guest posting for bondChristian, let me know.

Kyle's project

“People watching” is probably one of my favorite hobbies. You know, sitting there, making comments in your head as people walk by you. It provides hours of entertainment that is just good, clean, family fun (well, that is dependent on who you are observing, I guess).

Have you ever been people watching and one of your “peeps” (that is what I call them) spots you? You make eye contact and then quickly look in the other direction, hoping that they didn’t spot you looking at them. That is when people watching turns from fun to just plain awkward.

Take shopping for example

I was doing some last minute Christmas shopping last year. Standing in line waiting to pay for my gifts, I started my usual routine of scanning the crowd. The lady in the next checkout lane was mid scan when our eyes met. We both glanced away, and I kept my head down the rest of the time until I could get out of there.

As I was thinking back to that moment, I realized something:

People “people watch” me (say that five times fast).

Yes, people actually watch what I do, taking in the way I walk or what I am wearing. I have been people watched.

We watch others but assume no one watches us – as if we blend into those fake bushes behind the park bench at the mall. This idea that the world is a stage and the characters are on display for us to watch is not only narcissistic, it is false.

The common trend today is for people to people watch others to make themselves feel better. Whether watching people on television, reading magazines, or catching up on the daily gossip from friends, we watch people in order to feel good about ourselves.

Take The Truman Show for example

One of my favorite movies is The Truman Show. It’s about a guy named Truman (played by Jim Carey) who is on a literal “reality” TV show, featuring his life for millions to watch.

Have you ever thought of what it would be like if you were on The Truman Show? Thousands of cameras following you around, microphones picking up every word you say, and millions of people watching your every move. How would things be different? Would you change anything? I know I would be a completely different person.

Living on display would bring so much pressure that I would have an identity crisis much like Truman did in The Truman Show. This haunting fact that someone might be observing me might make me so self aware that I could not even go out in public. That is the interesting thing about all of this: we change who we are because people are watching.

What this means for mentoring

I have a lot of conversations with people about mentoring others. People often say that don’t mentor because no one would want to learn from them. I usually spoil those thoughts by telling them that people are watching and learning.

You are a mentor whether you like it or not. People are watching, observing, and learning from what you are doing. Is that a scary thought for you? I know it can be for me. It can be scary, or it can be the very thing you and I need to hear to know that we can make a difference.

Serving Suggestion:

(1) If you knew someone were following you around with a camera, studying your every move, what’s the #1 habit you’d change. Start with that. Because people are people watching you.

(2) Visit Kyle’s Mentor Me Project. He has this crazy dream that one day everyone will be connected and mentored. Kyle also blogs at Thoughts About Nothing.

• The complete guide to others-oriented fruit of the Spirit
• YES: The “get rich quick” trick for gaining serving experience
• Why I’m NOT a big fan of authenticity
• Your objections to slavery (and my responses)
• Top 10 reasons to become a slave

First off, I’d like to say I’m not disagreeing with Jason. The issues he raises are legitimate concerns. That’s exactly why I’m addressing them. I appreciate him mentioning them. Each is a silent problem – many of us feel them but don’t have a voice to speak up about them. Since we don’t adequately address the problems, we don’t know how to tackle them.

I’m going to respond to some of the issues here by making the audacious claim, as I often do, that the solution is others-orientedness. As a result, the lessons in this apply to most church involvement, not just small groups.

“You feel the pressure to plug in even when you don’t want to do it.”

Why would you not want to plug in? I see how you might feel this way, but usually the reason for not wanting to get involved is lame.

You’re supposed to plug into church to give, not to get. I have a hard time thinking of any situation where plugging in would hamper your giving ability. Most of the time, I’d guess the reason you don’t want to get involved is selfish. Selfishness eats us all. Sad (and harsh) but true.

If you really have a legitimate reason to not participate because the freed opportunity would allow you to serve in other ways, then it’ll be easy to speak to a pastor or other leader about it. Even though leaders want everyone involved in their programs, they certainly excuse members who have others-oriented reasons for not participating.

“When you get into a group, you feel like you have to stay in it.”

Yes, it is awkward getting to that point – perhaps that’s how it should be. Fellowship is a committed relationship. I’m not promoting manipulation tactics, but we have developed a habit of coming and going as we please in large congregations. That coming and going is just more pronounced in small groups.

Think of your small group as innocent until proven guilty – you participate until proven otherwise. That’s not what most members want to hear, I know. Again, though, if you have a legitimate reason for leaving, it’s not going to be that difficult to explain it to others. Leaders don’t like people giving excuses, but they do like excusing people who give. (And I’m not talking about money here.)

“You risk being negatively labeled by church leaders/other members.”

Church leaders label you that way because they join groups no matter what. They usually don’t have the luxury of choosing. I’m sure exceptions exist, but for the most part leaders are stuck with those they get.

Church leaders don’t always want the followers they attract. If you’re operating from a self-oriented perspective, you might not realize that. Church leaders put up with their followers whether they like them or not. They learn to like them. Why shouldn’t we expect the same for everyone else?

You can avoid negative labels by committing. Leaders and other members shouldn’t gossip about you – they should talk to you (that might be the pressure you feel to join or commit). But if you’re running around on the church, are you sure your leaders don’t deserve the warning? I mean, if a problem member were hopping around, wouldn’t you want your leadership to communicate about it?

My response in one sentence

In general, the answer to all these issues is to approach church as a place to give, not to get (have I said that enough already?).

I apologize if this post sounds callous – I realize I’m assuming a perfect world. Of course, not everyone lives an others-oriented lifestyle. Not everyone knows how to live that lifestyle. So far, I’ve only said what to do but left out how to do it. I’m going to followup, though, with a post explaining that, explaining how to connect in a small group study.

Bottom line: it’s not fair to fault the format (small group study or otherwise) when the problem is the people, as it usually is.

[Note: Jason also made a fourth point in his article: "Your church risks isolating members from leaders."

This is realistic. This does happen. This is a problem. From my perspective, Jason's dead on with that one. For that reason alone, small group studies might not be the best idea. For now, I'm leaving this open (I might address church leaders on it in a future post). Feel free to add your feelings about it in the comments.]

Serving Suggestions:

(1) Think serve. When you join or think about joining a small group (or participate in any church function), come at it with a servant’s heart. Consider what you can do to improve small group studies  instead of what you can do to benefit from them the most.

(2) Sign up for free updates via RSS or email or stop by again tomorrow to learn how to connect in a small group.

• Your objections to slavery (and my responses)
• Top 10 reasons to become a slave
• Slavery 101: Fundamentals for slave life
• How do I connect in a small group, Bible study?
• The deadly, #1 difference between you and your pastor in church

This carries over into everything we do for others. How often have you said, “Yes, I’ll do it,” but waited to start?

• You say, “I’ll sweep the kitchen,” but you finish organizing your shelves first.
• You say, “I’ll get together with you,” but you don’t set a date it because you’re too busy at the moment.
• You say, “I’ll pray for you,” but you wait for the privacy of your own home instead of praying with the person right there.

In many ways, finishing your current projects is a good idea. You can’t forget about them (if they’re important). The problem is the message it sends and the decreased likelihood that you’ll actually follow through with what you’ve promised.

When was the last time you told someone you’d sweep, get together, or pray for them and actually followed through with it? If you got around to it, my guess is that you began fairly quickly after making the promise. That’s been the trend in my life. So…

Two crucial reasons to do things now

1. Doing tasks right when asked forces you to remember – because really there’s no memory involved if you get right on it.

2. Doing tasks right when asked, way ahead of schedule, shows you’re enthusiastic about it.

Both of these combined, your perceived enthusiasm plus actually getting it done, will launch your ability and reputation for serving others.

Remember the wannabe disciple who “wanted” to follow Jesus… but had a father to bury first? Did following Jesus ever happen? What did that attitude say about the person’s enthusiasm for following Christ?

Serving Suggestions:

(1) Do something now. What have you been asked to do? Go do it now. This is one of those tips everyone’s heard, everyone knows… but we don’t remember it. Start remembering it. Be brutal with how soon you act.

(2) Have you experience this lately? Have you put something and as a result forgotten about it? Or have you actually done something immediately that genuinely blessed someone? Share your stories in the comments.

• Why I’m NOT a big fan of authenticity
• Teaching kids (and yourself) to share
• Off-season serving
• Learning what people REALLY want
• 37 solid strategies to find out what they want