Tag: Ephesians 6
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.
Stand Strong in the Lord!
Scripture reading for August 31st: Ephesians 6
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Ephesians 6:10-13 “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.”
Believers are in a cosmic battle with forces of evil and darkness in the spiritual realm. These forces are out to steal our faith and blessings, kill our bodies, and ultimately want to destroy our souls in the Lake of Fire with the devil and his dark angels. God has equipped His children with a full set of armor that they might stand up against this host of evil. This armor is not physical, but spiritual and is able to protect us and enable us to stand and over-come this wicked host of evil! We are more than conquerors through Him (Jesus)!
Observations for over-comers: Over-comers stand daily in the full armor of God through faith in Jesus Christ! They stand in victory giving glory to Christ Jesus their Lord and armor! “Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah, with His garments stained crimson? Who is this, robed in splendor, striding forward in the greatness of His strength? It is I, speaking in righteousness, mighty to save.” (Isaiah 63:1)
Praying in the Spirit!
Scripture reading for September 1st: Ephesians 6
Paul’s final words to the Ephesian church concerned spiritual warfare and the equipment needed by Christians to stand in their struggle against the enemy of their souls. “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities , against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” (Ephesians 6:10-12)
There are forces of evil that are invisible to the human eye. There are pieces of armor and weapons that are given by God to use in the fight. “Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God.” (Ephesians 6:13-17)
“And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.” (Ephesians 6:18) This final inclusion in the armor and armaments of the believer is a key to success! Our dependence on the Lord through prayer will insure the necessary power against our unseen enemy and will aid our brothers and sisters in the fight! It is the Spirit that can and does empower us to pray in victory!