Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord. Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” Colossians 3:22-23 NLT
Paul wasn't advocating slavery, rather, he was dealing with the reality of the culture he lived in. Slavery was common in that time. Some masters were kind and considerate to their servants. Others were harsh. Paul was reminding the followers of Christ, regardless of their position in life (slave or free man) that they were to work as if they were serving Jesus. As representatives of the Lord Jesus Christ we are to conduct our lives in submission and obedience to the One we profess to belong to. We are bond slaves of Jesus Christ. A bond slave was someone who had been a slave and had received freedom by their master. The slave would choose to remain in spite of their freedom because of their love for, and willingness to serve, their master. Jesus has set us free from the slavery of sin. We, too, should turn our freedom into willing service to our loving, merciful, and gracious Master. We are His bond servants. We serve Him from our hearts because of our love for Him. Everything we do, even in the culture of our time, should reflect our submission to the Lordship of Christ. It is one thing to profess our belonging to Him as Savior and another to commit ourselves in obedience to His Lordship. Many, today, in the "church" scene want a fire insurance policy that protects them from an eternal hell but they miss the entire purpose of their salvation - reconciliation with their Father. We aren't saved just so we won't go to hell, we are saved to reconcile our relationship with our Lord and Master. We are His! We should act like we belong to Him instead of appeasing our own will and gratifying our own desires. Too many "Christians" today are serving themselves instead of Christ. Let us, who belong to Jesus Christ, demonstrate our relation and allegiance to Him by a life that exemplifies this profession in our service and conduct in every facet of our life. Even if we work with, or for, someone who is difficult and unjust at times, we must remember that God is our Master and that He is watching how we behave. Peter said it like this: “For God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment.” 1 Peter 2:19 NLT Today, no matter what is going on around you, settle this one thing - If Jesus is your Master, then act like it! Don't let the conduct of others or the circumstances of your life determine your character. Serve the Lord with all of your heart!!! One day we will stand before Him and give account for our service to Him. He is the Ultimate Employer.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Author
![]() Rev. Curtis Norris Archives
March 2020
|