Every American slave who was introduced to the Bible, was well familiar with Ephesians 6.
Verse 5. Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ.
Verse 6. Not with eye service, as man pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.
Verse7. With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men.
Don’t stop there, there is more to learn.
Servants, you have been designated in this life and time to be a servant, while still a Godly creation. In the capacity of your position, you also represent God. Perform your duties as your master instructs for the wellbeing of the community.
As a servant it may be difficult to always take instructions, but be obedient and respectful. Do your work with your whole heart seeking good offerings as if you were doing it for God. I will instruct masters as well because the equalizer is this. What good things any man does, be he servant or master, the same shall he receive.
Masters, you have been designated to positions of authority, leadership, stewardship and accountability. You will be judged on production, use of resources and treatment of all, including servants. Treat others as you want to be treated according to the equalizer mandate. Resist harsh methods of governance, using threats and violence against others. Remember that God is not a respecter of persons in their earthy position assignments.
Defer to God, all of creation is under the power of God’s might
If we isolate these scriptures about servants and masters, we do so out of context of instructions given for positions and their assignment responsibilities. Beginning in Chapter 5, with wives submit to your husbands (22). Husbands be head of your home and family (23). Husbands love your wife as much as you love yourself (25, 28, 33). It continues in Chapter 6, children obey and honor you parents (1, 2). Fathers respect and nurture your children, do not provoke them to anger (4).
It is precisely why slaves were denied on threat of beatings the right to read the Bible for themselves. Revelation of God’s TRUTH would have been costly to the slave system and their Christian followers.
Oh, to simplify. Regardless of our earthly status today, we are all designated servants and masters with the same responsibilities outlined in the Bible. All will be judged according to the equalizing commandments to love, respect and do no harm.
The evidence of success will be seen in a world that recognizes the value of every person, all are of equal value and clocked in full humanity.