Tag: masters
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.
Devoted to prayer!
Scripture reading for October 8th: Colossians 3:18-4:18
“And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus giving thanks to God the Father through Him.” (Colossians 3:17) This Scripture is a summary of how Christ living in us should transform our lives. This kind of living can only come from a life of prayer and intimate contact with God Himself. We must be filled with the Holy Spirit and love of God daily and this will be reflected practically in how we live at home and at work.
Paul’s instruction to this company of “holy and faithful brothers” included again practical advice on getting along in the home and workplace. Wives were told to submit to God’s order in the home because of God’s design. Husbands were reminded to love their wives and not be harsh with them. Children were told to please the Lord by obedience to parents. Fathers were again reminded to be gentle towards their children. Employees were encouraged to work for their employers as unto the Lord and expect a reward from God for doing that. Masters should treat employees fairly. God will show no favorites. (Colossians 3:18-25)
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.” (Colossians 4:2-4) As we pray, we put our focus on the unseen world of God’s throne and He makes us aware of dangers as well as opportunities. We sense God’s heart and begin to want what He wants.
As Paul told these believers to devote themselves to prayer, he asked for prayer himself. He was in chains in a Roman prison, but he did not ask for a deliverance. Instead he asked for open doors for ministry of the Gospel of Christ. He knew that without prayer, ministry would not happen. He asked for boldness and clarity of speech to know how to present the message to each open heart. His focus was not on himself, but on Christ’s call and purpose that he longed to complete.
May the Lord help each of us to be devoted to prayer. If we lived a life of prayer, we would find more opportunities to fulfill our calling!