Sojourn at Rome
205
caprice and tyranny. The tendency of the whole system was hopelessly
degrading.
It was not the apostle’s work to violently overturn the established
[289]
order of society. Had he attempted this, he would have prevented
the success of the gospel. But he taught principles that struck at the
very foundation of slavery, and that, carried into effect, would surely
undermine the whole system. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there
is liberty.” The religion of Christ has a transforming power upon the
receiver. The converted slave became a member of the body of Christ,
and as such was to be loved and treated as a brother, a fellow-heir with
his master of the blessings of God and the privileges of the gospel.
In the same spirit were servants to perform their duties; “not with
eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as the servants of Christ, doing the
will of God from the heart.” Christianity makes a strong bond of union
between master and slave, king and subject, the gospel minister and the
most degraded sinner who has found in Christ relief from his burden
of crime. They have been washed in the same blood, quickened by the
same Spirit; they are made one in Christ Jesus.
* * * * *