Bondservants of Christ
Scripture reading for September 1: Ephesians 6
“Bondservants, obey your earthy masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that He Who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with Him.” Ephesians 6:5-9
Slavery was a part of the Roman culture in the early days of the Church. There were masters who owned slaves and treated them as property to be used and abused. When a slave came to Christ, repenting of sin, that slave was made ‘free’ from the bondage of sin and its penalty, eternal death. However, they still were under their masters here on earth. They did have a new Master, Jesus Christ, Who they now served as they did their jobs in slavery. Paul sought to help them understand that God called them to submission to their earthly master and serving him from the heart. By serving their earthly masters with a good attitude and faithfulness, they would reflect their true Master, Jesus Christ.
Paul went on to instruct those in the church who were slave masters. They were to treat their slaves with fear and trembling and respect for their unique personhood. They were not to be abusive or threatening towards them. As believers, all have the same Master, Jesus Christ, Who will reward each person without showing partiality. It is interesting to note these instruction on humility, serving, submitting are calling all to be bondservants. A bondservant was one who willingly gave themselves to the master for life. Both slaves and masters in that culture were now to consider themselves ‘bondslaves’ of Jesus Christ!
How does this teaching about slaves and masters fit with your current world view? How did Jesus model the life of a bondslave in obeying His Father? Are you applying this teaching in the workplace today where God has placed you?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for Your instructions on humility, joyful serving, and becoming a bondslave of You. As a son now adopted into Your forever family, through the Holy Spirit I desire to be used each day as one freely given to serve You and others. May I please You each day in word and deed. Amen.
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