… but to show that they can be fully trusted …
Summary: We are all slaves to something. Paul says we are slaves to sin or slaves to righteousness. We all need to show that we can be fully trusted.
Yes, we are still talking about slaves yet, in reality, we are talking about ourselves. For slaves are just people whose job description is a bit different than our own. And is any one of us truly free? Paul tells us that we only have two choices.
“But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.” (Romans 6:17-18)
So let us not look down on slaves, but instead look at them as brothers and sisters in slavery. For that is what we are.
Of course, not everyone sees slaves this way. We are speaking from a spiritual point of view. The worldly point of view looks at slaves as a possession. Slaves are something to be used and, if desired, abused.
So where does trust come in?
Imagine for a moment a world without trust. What is left? Can you imagine such a place? I can. It is not pretty.
If you cannot trust anyone you know, then you are always on guard against people. Everyone is a potential threat. Who, then, do you trust? The law? But what if you cannot trust the lawyers or the judges? Do you trust in the police? What if they cannot be trusted? Surely you can trust the politicians … right? No??
In a world without trust, you cannot trust anyone. Not your family, your friends, your neighbors, or anyone you see on the street. Everyone is a threat. Does that sound like a world you would like to live in?
“Divide and conquer” is a saying that some say dates back to the fourth century, A.D. In actuality, it is much older. Jesus said something very similar three hundred fifty years earlier. He said, “If a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” ( Mark 3:25) It is a bit of worldly wisdom that has stood the test of time. If you cannot trust your neighbor, you are divided. Satan knows this truth well and has been applying it liberally to weaken God’s church and destroy every good thing.
Philip II of Macedon, author of “Divide and Conquer.” Photo Public Domain
When we are not trusted by our master or boss, spouse, countryman, or (fill in the blank), there is division. Where there is trust, there is unity.
I cannot force you to trust me. I can, however, be trustworthy. That is all Paul asks. If we each do our part, if we are trustworthy, then we honor our Lord. Even if our trustworthiness is not appreciated, the world is still a better place for it.
Application: Think about what you said and did today. Were you trustworthy?
Food for Thought: How did the Holy Spirit help the disciples to become more trustworthy?
The Father is always faithful and trustworthy in the long-run. There may be trials, temptations, tribulations, and persecutions. But if we persevere, ultimate victory is assured. Hopefully, this happens before physical death which would be the end of usefulness for service on this earth, but if the time is up according to the Father’s will, then the time is up.
Frankly, I do not know if any other person or entity is absolutely. entirely. faithful or trustworthy. Some level of faith or confidence must at some time or for some reason be placed in someone or something or an individual will remain absolutely alone and isolated. Fellowship and unity are a necessary.
An attitude of absolute pessimism about everything and everyone is not healthy and physically. psychologically, emotionally, and mentally unsustainable and self-defeating as well as self-destructive.
Being found trustworthy is a fruit or character quality which only the Holy Spirit, along with cultivated mental, habit, goal, and self-discipline patterns in following the Lord and making wise and right choices can produce.
How the Holy Spirit did this in the lives of the disciples in the New Testament is a vast subject which takes a lifetime of learning.
I can only weakly point to stay in the Word, have an active, thankful, rejoicing attitude and prayer life, be faithful in worship and giving of your time, talents, spiritual gifts, and finances. Meditation on things God wants instead of the flesh, or the world. Also trust and obey. Love the Lord, love others. Be serving Him and others as faithfully and consistently as possible.
Be actively growing in the character and practical qualities which will allow the Lord to give a greater place of usefulness and service in His Kingdom.
Perhaps others can supply verses or give better or more relevant advice than this but I believe at least you won’t be going backwards if you are practicing and striving and seeking to know and please the Lordby thinking and doing these things.
Be Blessed and have a great day and week.
Jeff,
Thank you. I agree that the Holy Spirit helped their attitudes become more Godly.
We have the bible to read and learn about Jesus and how to cultivate our character, learn what is expected behavior, basically the instruction manual of life. The disciples, however, were walking with the instruction manual. They were walking and learning with the Word in the flesh. They saw Jesus respond to people kindly and with love, even when people did not respond the same way back to Him.
While we have the Word to learn from, the disciples initially had the Word in flesh and then the Holy Spirit. I believe the Holy Spirit was within them after the times they spent seeing Jesus in action. Jesus was trustworthy. His actions matched his ministry. Jesus honored His father, even down to his last moments on the Cross and as the disciples stood there, they saw the trustworthiness from the beginning to the end of the ministry.
Darla,
I love the phrase, “The disciples, however, were walking with the instruction manual.” What a wonderful visual! Thank you!
Great thoughts and comments Darla.
Very wise, inspiring, insightful, and encouraging.
Thanks 😊
I agree: Very well said Darla! Great comments here by Darla and Jeff.
I don’t have much to add. The Holy Spirit convicts us of error and realigns our priorities, which helps us to be trustworthy. He also gives us the fruit of the Spirit as we walk in the Spirit. Two characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit are faithfulness and self control. Walking in the Spirit leads us into a trustworthy lifestyle.
Than you, Rich.
Faithfulness and self-control are amazing testimonies to our Lord and both are made possible by God’s Spirit!
😇
How did the Holy Spirit help the disciples to become more trustworthy?
God has SET ALL BELIEVERS FREE from the powers of this world with the Holy Spirit as our common uniting force. We become the one body of Christ to serve as witness’ to His glory and love for all mankind. Our effectiveness as one body is totally dependent upon our commitment and willingness to trust in God, accept this gift, come together in service as we have been called, and prove ourselves trustworthy to each other.
Ephesians 4:1-6, Philippians 3:3
The Holy Spirit CONVICTS US OF SIN, which is anything offensive to God. Its addictive powers can hold us back from repentance and growth in Christ if we allow them. Conviction is making the evil of sin known to us, and providing a way to resist. Conviction is our best friend and it is our responsibility to respond to that conviction. If we stop feeling conviction, then we have bigger problems.
John 16:8
The Holy Spirit TEACHES, REVEALS THE MEANING OF SCRIPTURE to believers the way Jesus does. The desire to study requires we respond to Gods call by choice. Activities in this world will become less important as we begin to see God’s truths being revealed, and give Him priority in our lives. The desire to turn from events of this temporary, ever-changing world and to the reality of Gods eternal, never-changing truths will increase over time.
John 14:26, 16:13, 2 Timothy 3:16-17
The Holy Spirit is THE POWER TO BECOME LIKE CHRIST and works in us by chipping away our sinful characteristics and replacing them with godly characteristics. With some of us it is with a jackhammer and dynamite. His work in us is according to His priorities for our growth and the ministry He has in mind for us as he makes us more like Jesus by renewing our minds.
Colossians 2:11, Galatians 5:22-23
The Holy Spirit gives us THE POWER TO WITNESS to others as He removes all fear and reluctance and replaces these with the power, love, and self-discipline of Christ.
2 Timothy 1:7
The Holy Spirit BRINGS BELIEVERS CLOSER TO OTHER BELIEVERS. As we draw near to the Holy Spirit. He will place love in our hearts for our brothers and sisters and we will be compelled to unite. This process of power transfer is we become small and Christ in us grows by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 4:32
Ron,
Well done! There are so many gifts that Jesus gives us through his Holy Spirit. You have outlined some great ones! Thank you!