Table 1.  Relationships

Human - Human

Christ - Human

One’s attitude is the master key to satisfying relationships and is expressed by unconditional love; i.e. esteeming another as better or at least equal to one’s self, never less than one’s self.  There is no human lordship because one has greater ability in one facet in life than another because the other person will have a greater ability in another facet of life.

Christ has Lordship by His nature, which is love that provides first and foremost for the transformation beginning on earth of a human spirit having entered into a worshipping one-on-one relationship with Him to an eternal life relationship with Him.  Creator–John 1:3, Love–1John 4:16, Provider–1Tim 6:17, Promise of Eternal Life–John 3:16, Worship–John 4:24

One knows one’s self.  Some questions to answer truthfully about one’s self:

• What are one’s limits and boundaries?

• What pleases one that is not coercive or harmful to another and its corollary what displeases one?

• What are one’s drives and goals; why am I doing this?

• What is one willing to change and working to achieve?

• What are one’s prejudices and biases because of ignorance or experiences or perceptions?

• How does one resolve a conflict, calmly or angrily?

• Is one able to forgive, both one’s self and others?

Christ is omniscient about both himself and humans.  The questions on the left are equally applicable to one’s relationship with Christ.  Knows Everything–1John 3:20, Christ’s Purpose Fulfilled–Isa 46:10

One communicates these aspects honestly and clearly with respect to another person with regards to the pace and the direction the relationship is to grow.  There is a balance between openness and secretiveness.  Not everything should be said but only that needed for the emotional health of both people.

Because Christ respects our free will to be in relationship with Him or not, it is vital for humans to communicate with Him what is happening, both the good and bad, in their lives.  The Psalms are an excellent example of the communication Christ wants with one.

The relationship grows in commitment and mutual faith becoming fluid, vital, responsive to the other’s need, and sharing to meet each one’s positive dependency (no man is an island), people need each other in healthy dependency, not codependency.  It is acceptable to end a relationship at any time if it is deemed unhealthy physically, emotional and spiritually.  Ideally this separation is mutual.

Although Christ by His nature has everything, He desires for His creation to love Him with every aspect of one’s being, i.e. a personal one-on-one relationship with Him.  Holy Scripture indicates that failure to give Him his due, i.e. end the relationship or not have one with Him, will result in eternal darkness.  Creator–John 1:3, Relationship–Rev 3:20, All Powerful–Job 42:1, Eternal Darkness–Matt 22:13

Table 2:  The overview of leather play and walk with Christ are:

Leather Play

Walk with Christ

A few people, both heterosexual and homosexual, have the ultimate desire to develop to be a Master, i.e. totally controlling a voluntarily totally submitted person in all aspects of that one’s life for mutual benefit of both.  Because violence and coercion is unethical behavior, one doing these is not a Master but a criminal.

Christ is Master to whom one, believing in Him, humbly surrenders and submits one’s total being in love, honor, service and obedience.  Lord–Rom 3:9, Love Coupled with Obedience–John 14:23, Honor–John 5:23, Serve–Matt 4:10

A few people, both heterosexual and homosexual, have the ultimate desire to develop to be a bondslave, i.e. being totally controlled in all aspects of that one’s life in service to a voluntary person. Because violence and coercion is unethical behavior, one being subjected to these is not a slave but a victim.

The believer becomes a bondservant to Christ recognizing His total Lordship, i.e. right to command obedience, and to whom one totally subjects one’s self by faith.  Serve one Master–Matt 6:24, All of Self Submitted–Mark 12:30

No one in either position starts out in either ultimate role, but both begin, as neophytes applying one’s self to learning and growing through practice in the desired role.  Many never have a desire to enter into the ultimate role.

Christ as God is already Master.  The believer starts growth in submission with the birth of the spirit by the Holy Spirit and as one applies Christ’s commands, matures to a totally Christ-centered life, even though often falling short of these commands, i.e. one learns through one’s errors.  The parable of the sower, Matt 13:1-23, indicates many will not enter or remain totally with Christ.  Master–Luke 8:24, New Birth–John 3:5, Obey–John 15:10, Maturity–Heb 6:1, Fought the Good Fight–2Tim 4:7

Table 3:  The comparisons between

Leather Play

Christ

Is perceived and held judgmentally by those outside of its genre as abusive and violent because of the infliction of pain.  Leather people tend to be ostracized then because those not familiar with leather play cannot fathom that anyone finds pleasure through pain which is a human mechanism for protection of the body.

Has forewarned those who love Him would be persecuted by the world because the world is an idolatrous enemy to spiritual holiness.  To Be Persecuted–Matt 5:11-12, Enemy of God–Jas 4:4

Is pleasure and fun in a safe, sane, and consensual manner as agreed to by the participants.  If it were not pleasurable and fun to the participants, there would be no players. 

Is more pleasurable and joyful (fun), assuming one believes and is submitted to Him, even when physical hardships, self, and the world entice one to forsake one’s first love, Christ.  Goodness of Christ–1Pet 2:3, Endure Hardships–Heb 12:7, Forsake First Love–Rev 2:4

Requires two players, mutually meeting at least the physical and emotional needs of the other person: one in a dominant role servicing the submissive whom in turn services the dominant.  Although more may participate in a given play scenario, there are only two roles, dominant and submissive.

Is the head and each person is a member of His body who are in an intimate one-on-one relationship in Him, and thereby all are fitted together with each other for the mutual benefit of all.  Trials and hardships, i.e. discipline and purifying fires are to be desired and are a pleasing aroma to God.  Christ is Head–1Cor 11:3, Part of Body–1Cor 12:27, Desire Purification–1John 3:3, Hardship is Discipline–Heb 12:7

Is transforming both the Master and the slave to a pleasurable state or euphoria or ecstasy for a short time through controlled administration of pain within the agreed mutual consent and with tenderness and care during and after play.  Anything else is considered abuse and violence.

Is transforming one to do his work on earth and for eternity through hardships and trials as Godly discipline for one’s spiritual benefit.  Christ knows the limits one can stand and applies those limits even though one sometimes thinks otherwise.  Transformation–2Cor 3:18, Discipline–Heb 12:5-6, Limit––1Cor 10:13

Brings a balance to many people lives by allowing one to operate in the opposite role one exercises during times not in leather play.  For example one, responsible for people or controlling a business during the day, plays as a slave to a Master during the evening or weekend.

Knows what each person needs before one asks and provides everything for one’s enjoyment to the glory of God and the proclamation of His name to the world.  Does not provide for what one wants for one’s own pleasure. Knows Needs–Luke 12:30, Provides for Enjoyment–1Tim 6:17, Provides Not for Own Motives–Jas 4:3

Occupies generally more time in non-sexual activities than sexual activity, however the latter usually gets more notice because of its erotic nature.

Is Spirit and thus there is no sex as this is only in the physical world; however, He does give times of spiritual closeness and a sense of His presence to those in a committed relationship with Him.  Matt–22:30, Holy Spirit with Forever John 14:16, Presence–Luke 24:32

Table 4.  Key qualities of the Master and slave

for mutual trust of each other are:

The slave has found a Master who

The believer has found Christ who

Thoroughly communicates to a potential slave all aspects of the expected relationship affirming all activities will be done in a safe, sane and consensual manner within agreed limits and conditions.  Has no secrets or hidden agendas.

Is the Master or Lord of the universe who commands obedience or suffer the consequences to His commands as written on the believer’s heart and in His written Word, the Holy Scriptures.  This command of obedience and the consequences of disobedience are clearly expressed from the beginning of the Old Testament to the end of the New Testament. 

Articulates one’s experiences, both the satisfactory and unsatisfactory, and one’s desire for growth, experimentation, and demonstrates ability to instruct on limits and situations to prevent at least physical and emotional injury to one’s self.  Also seeks to preclude spiritual injury.

Desires transformation into all one can be in Him.  Is omniscient, i.e. all-knowing, therefore is able to teach one and already knows the limits of the believer and gives no more than one can bear.  Teacher John 1:38, Limit–1Cor 10:13

Enters into an agreed mutual relationship after interviewing potential slaves. For whatever reasons may only be able to handle a slave for a limited time, seldom for life.

Knows not all who come to Him initially will stay on the narrow path with Him.  Explained that three of the four types in the parable of the sower fell by the wayside.  Desert Christ–Matt 13:20-22, Willingness–Matt 7:21

Exercises total responsibility for the slave’s emotional, physical and spiritual health so as to preclude injury in any of these areas.  Expresses this responsibility through touch of massage and/or hugs, oral communication, and knowing visible reactions of both pleasure and when something is amiss.

Is unconditional love providing all that the believer needs to execute His commands willingly and freely; also expresses mercy and compassion independently of one’s actions.  Love–1John 4:16, Provider–Php 4:19, Mercy–Rom 9:15, Intimate–John 14:23

Has grown in self-confidence and trust in his ability and exercise of authority and power through knowledge of one’s self.

Knows His power and authority because He is omnipotent and omniscient, thereby knows the limits at any time and wherewith a believer is able to execute His commands.  All Powerful–John 13:3, Knows Everything–1John 3:20, All Authority–Matt 28:18

Is consistent from an inner stability that a slave may know the expectations or the “rules”.  Understands vagueness and double standards are relationship destroyers.

Never changes throughout human history and eternity.  Always the Same–Heb 13:8

Is knowledgeable about leather skills and techniques with the ability to admit limits of knowledge and experience and uses common sense in preparation and execution of activities involving input from the slave as necessary, especially when experimenting and developing new skills.

Gives no one more than one can withstand, even though at times one feels like one cannot withstand any more.  At that point enables one to rely on the Holy Spirit to stand according to the Lord’s pleasure.  Limit–1Cor 10:13, Pleasing Will–Rom 12:2, Respect through Knowledge–Matt 7:28-29

Has taken a personal inventory to relate honestly about all aspects of one’s self.

Describes Himself honestly throughout the Holy Scripture.

Develops the slave by increasing trust and friendship so that the slave is awarded more responsibilities.

Honors faithful obedience to commands by raising status from slave to friend who is always submitted in Him and remains in faithful obedience, sons and daughters and heirs to the kingdom.  Friends–John 15:15, Sons and Heirs–Gal 4:7

Table 5.  Key qualities of the Master and slave

 for mutual trust of each other are:

The Master has found a slave who

Christ has found a believer who

Thoroughly communicates to a potential Master all aspects of the expected relationship affirming all activities will be done in a safe, sane and consensual manner within agreed limits and conditions.  Has no secrets or hidden agendas.

Accepts Christ working in one’s own heart as confirmed by the Holy Scripture.  Brings everything to Christ in prayer with thanksgiving, praise and worship.  Christ’s Workmanship–Isa 64:8, Continual Worship–1Th 5:16-18

Articulates one’s experiences, both the satisfactory and unsatisfactory, and one’s desire for growth, experimentation, and knows limits and situations that may cause emotional and spiritual or undue physical injury to one’s self.

Desires to be all Christ calls one to be in Him.  Because Christ is omniscient, knows He gives no more than the believer can bear.  Created for Good Works–Eph 2:10, God’s Plan–Jer 29:11

Enters into an agreed mutual relationship after interviewing potential Masters. For whatever may only be able to submit for a limited time, seldom for life.

Knows Christ rejects no one while one is alive, continually showing mercy and calling for one to change one’s behavior by returning into submission to Him.  Recognizes that those who choose not Christ and after accepting to leave and not return have condemned themselves at physical death. Bought–1Cor 7:23, Desires all to Be Saved–2Pet 3:9, Mercy Not Sacrifice–Matt 12:7, Condemn Ones’ Self–John 3:18

Is voluntarily and willing to be vulnerable in submitting one’s entire self as a gift in trust to the Master.  Reserves the ability to end a scenario that is not working.  In faith trusts the Master that he/she will not deliberately be violent against the slave.

Chooses by one’s free will to commit and submit one’s self and life to Christ in everything for transformation.  Realizes all one has to give is one’s desire through faith for all other aspects of one’s life belong to God including one’s sexuality to be changed, if He wants.  Call to Repentance–Matt 4:17, Change Attitude–Matt 18:3, All Souls Belong to Christ–Eze 18:4, Will of God–Matt 7:21, Faith–Heb 11:1

Desires to serve zealously in total subservience for the Master’s total pleasure within the safe, sane and consensual agreed limits.

Desires to serve in total subservience that God be glorified in all of one’s actions and God’s pleasure will be done through one for others to be saved and grow in Christ.  Christ’s Service First–Luke 17:7-10, Spiritual Gifts–1Cor 12:1-31, Pleases God–John 5:30, Christ Glorified by One–2Th 1:12

Expresses this desire not only in obedience, but also with thankfulness, trust, devotion, unconditional love and a relaxed acceptance of one’s condition.

Expresses one’s commitment not only in obedience but thankfulness, trust, devotion and unconditional love.  Total Surrender–Mark 12:30, Continual Worship–1Th 5:16-18

Is free from other attachments and encumbrances that may limit meeting the needs of the Master.  If these attachments and encumbrances cannot be eliminated, ensures they are part of the agreed terms and conditions with the Master.

Enters into Christ knowing one has much selfish and worldly baggage that one cannot remove by one’s self but needs Christ’s removal for purification to enter eternity in Him; also recognizes that the way is narrow and the need to forsake the enemy, the world system and self.  Desire Purification–1John 3:3, Christ’s Workmanship–Eph 2:10, Narrow Way–Matt 7:14, World Enemy–Jas 4:4

Desires to be disciplined according to the Master’s pleasure to the degree of pain, within the agreed limits (learning or correction, not punishment as commonly perceived or practiced).

Acknowledges one’s falling short of the mark and endures hardships of trials and tribulations as discipline (learning or correcting a behavior, or for purification), and desires the discipline of the Lord knowing one is benefiting to be more like Him.  Discipline by Enduring Hardships–Heb 12:5-7, Needs Growth–Php 3:12