Daily Devotional
"Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well pleasing, not argumentative, not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior."
Titus 2:9-10
Why didn’t Jesus and the apostles call for the immediate abolition of slavery? Why didn’t they organize protests, lead political campaigns, or attack the unjust system directly?
Here’s the revolutionary answer: because Christ’s approach was to reach the person, not attack the system. He understood that when hearts change, systems eventually change. When individuals are transformed by the gospel, they bring transformation to their families, their workplaces, their communities, and eventually their entire society.
This doesn’t mean Christians should be passive about injustice. It means our primary method is gospel proclamation and personal transformation, not political coercion or social activism. We don’t rally the 99 to fight for the 1; we leave the 99 to save the 1.
History proves this approach works. The Christian influence on individual hearts eventually led to the abolition of slavery in the Western world. Gospel-transformed people couldn’t maintain an unjust system once they understood the worth and dignity of every person made in God’s image.
This principle applies today. We live in a culture with many injustices and broken systems. The temptation is to organize, protest, legislate, and attack. But Jesus calls us to a different approach: love the person in front of you. Share the gospel with the individual God brings across your path. Live out the transformed life that adorns the gospel. Trust God to use changed people to change systems over time.
Today's Challenge
What cultural issue or injustice concerns you most right now? Instead of focusing on attacking the system, who is one individual you could reach with Christ's love? What practical step could you take this week to show them the gospel?
Prayer
Lord Jesus, You have shown me a better way than anger, activism, and attacks on systems. Help me to trust Your approach of reaching individuals with the transforming power of the gospel. Give me eyes to see the people You've placed in my path and a heart to love them well. When I'm tempted to focus on changing systems, redirect my attention to changing hearts through the gospel. Use me as Your instrument of transformation, one person at a time. In Your name, Amen.
