Amazing Grace, How Slow the Work: Why We Still Have Slaves
In 1981, more than a century after America ended slavery with the Thirteenth Amendment to the U. S. Constitution, the West African nation of Mauritania abolished slavery, the last country in the world to do so. According to a CNN report, since Mauritania's later criminalization of slavery in 2007, only one—one—slave owner has been successfully prosecuted in a country where an estimated 10 to 20 percent of citizens are slaves.
It's hard to imagine that in the same year the first woman joined the Supreme Court, the AIDS virus was discovered, the world raptly watched as Princess Di married Prince Charles, and MTV was launched, one nation still permitted slavery.
for we moderns, whose days are ruled by objective markers of time—years, months, weeks, minutes, with Google calendars and Outlook reminders to track them all—it's easy to forget that time is relative. With lives characterized by the overwhelming sense of time relentlessly marching on, it's hard to remember that God transcends time. Yet, we often insist, adamantly, that change come instantaneously—or at least that change occur in others in perfect synchronization with our own.
Yes, time is of the human realm, not God's. And within the vast, dark sea of human time, moments of epiphany glimmer here and there like beacons of hope, transcending time and changing the warp of human experience forever.
This is how sanctification works. God's work of redeeming us occurs in time, but its results transcend time into eternity. According to the Westminster Shorter Catechism, sanctification, which takes place after regeneration, is "the work of God's free grace, whereby we are renewed in the whole man after the image of God, and are enabled more and more to die unto sin, and live unto righteousness." Sanctification is the continuous transformation of a new creation into greater conformity with the character of Christ under the power of the Holy Spirit. Sanctification takes time. But not the kind of time that can be penciled in.
We often expect sanctification—whether our own, someone else's or that of the church universal—to take place quickly, if not immediately. We foolishly think that upon repentance, old habits, desires, and temptations will be shed like snakeskins. Once in a while, to be sure, instant turnaround can happen, making for a dramatic Wednesday night testimony. But perseverance, not speed, is the true mark of real transformation.
Nothing reflects the slowness of sanctification more poignantly than the issue of slavery. For slavery—both literal and metaphorical, both on a personal and a global scale—has haunted the human condition throughout all of recorded history.
The Seminary Gender Gap
RSS
Twitter
Facebook
Pinterest
Comments
Anne
Modern day human trafficking is of great concern, but I am shocked to learn from reading this article that the ancient practice of human slavery still exists. I read the CNN article linked above in the post, and it is just horrifying. It may not be as prevalent as the current form, but it needs the attention of the world and the church. Thank you for writing about this.
Nancy Lee
I thought this article was going to be about human trafficking too. If anyone wishes to learn more about trafficking (sex trafficking, in particular), there is an excellent new documentary called "Nefarious: Merchant of Souls." It details international trafficking, talks about one country that has virtually eliminated it, and looks at people who are commercially sexually exploited here in the US. It is very well done, and points toward solutions -- especially the healing that is possible for victims and perpetrators alike, in Christ.
David Imboden
Perhaps readers are already aware that there has been a recent article in World Net Daily on Facebook's apparent delay in seriously addressing and prohibiting child pornography from proliferating within their system. Could it be that the advent of the internet has only made child/incestual "slavery" and exploitation of the most heinous nature, an out of control reality? Based on our own (US) standards I'm guessing that many if not most governments around the world either don't really have much concern for or a way of adequately combating this kind and level of slavery. The love of many growing cold due to an increase of sin in the last days is a very tragic reality, but not without the bright hope of our Lord and Savior coming soon to rule and reign over all the earth. Till then, may we do all that we can to be as salty as we can be and where God wants us to do His bidding in this present darkness.
KAREN SWALLOW PRIOR
Leslie, now that I think about it, I'll go halfsies with you. I think the phrase simply refers to any aspect of finitude, start or finish, perhaps always relating to fruition or judgment. "An idea whose time has come" means the beginning of something, right? But it can mean the end, too. I guess it's a strange idiom that depends utterly on context. I thought the context was clear here, but perhaps not. Don't mind my rambling on about it. Obsessing over words is just one of the things I do. :)
Tim
Karen, I really liked how you put this: Gods work of redeeming us occurs in time, but its results transcend time into eternity. ... Sanctification takes time. But not the kind of time that can be penciled in. That has to be the best description of the tension between the temporal and the eternal dimensions to sanctification that I've ever read. As for the continuing existence of slavery, my son (just graduating university) and I are going to a human trafficking conference at Mount Hermon next month. I am hoping we will get information that will help us each see how we can better take action. At my job it comes up in official government proceedings (I've seen more than one trafficked person in my courtroom). My son is looking at possibly joining on overseas trafficking ministry. Either way, these touch on slavery issues. Nice job here Karen, Tim
KAREN SWALLOW PRIOR
Thank you, Jane. I'm glad you share my hope in God's "truth and justice and healing"!
JANE HINRICHS
"That's not everything, but I daresay it's something" is exactly right. When people finally see the truth, change can happen. It is a horrid and an awful truth that slavery still exists -- especially the human trafficking that is found throughout the world and in every state of our country. BUT, people all over the world are becoming aware of it and change is happening though not as quick as we would like. When we look at the incredible hugeness of this situation we fall into despair. But we need not -- God is there with the victims. God will bring truth and justice and healing. God doesn't abandon the victims. More and more are being saved daily and for those who are yet still in slavery God is there (as He is with us always -- and maybe most especially when we fall into sin). Thank you Karen for this beautifully written piece.
KAREN SWALLOW PRIOR
Leslie, to say that something's "time has come" does not mean its end or perfection, but rather its time of reckoning, acknowledgement, addressing, etc., sometimes even its beginning. I never suggested that physcial slavery no longer exists, only that it has finally been outlawed in every country. That's not everything, but I daresay it's something.
Doreen Ashley
Also, Leslie, the title points out that slavery still exists and I think it gives the analogy more power in that sin still exists. It always will until the resurrection of the righteous. But it's what we are "slaves" too, what drives us, etc. Karen, thanks SOOO much for hitting the "smaller" sins as well. I often think we like to talk about slavery, abortion, abuse, sexual immorality, murder, etc as a way to think we are not enslaved to sin... while missing the pride, self-righteousness, bitterness, anger, judgement, etc that enslaves us all. I really appreciated this post!
Doreen Ashley
Wonderful insights that definitely spoke to me! I was in Galations 5 yesterday and thinking about what enslaves us and Kingdom living. We spend so much of our lives eating out of the dumpsters of sin instead of dining at the King's table in righteous living. Though (in my humble opinion) most Christians today tend to go back and forth between the two and thus miss peaceful living. I love the analogy of slavery and first calling out sin for what it is! Very good!
*