A Walk through Ephesians - Pt 25

 

Bondservants, obey your earthly 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 a 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 ESV).

 

At first glance it would seem that our reading today has little practical application to our time. However, even though these verses apply the gospel to the master-slave relationship of the first-century church, they also frame daily work and authority as service rendered ultimately to Christ regardless of the age in which we live. It is another great example of the timeless nature of the Scripture.

 

The message is quite clear. We are to be worthy of the calling of God into His grace as we “work,” whatever that work might be. You see, it is in gratitude for the benefits granted in our relationship with Christ by faith alone that believers must serve the interests of everyone also united to Jesus (cf. Ephesians 2:8–9; 5:18–21). And as we have seen earlier in this letter (Ephesians 5:22–6:4), our relation to others in the body of Christ determines the practical outworking of our Christian service. Husbands serve their wives through leading them in godliness self-sacrificially. Wives serve their husbands by willingly following their husbands’ leadership. Children serve their parents by honoring them with obedience. Parents serve their children by raising them in their developing faith in the Lord. The same principle now applies to our work relationships.

 

The Book of Philemon is helpful at this point. The context of that letter is within the bonds of ancient slavery. Remember this slavery differed from slavery in the American South, and how God’s regulation of a practice in Scripture does not necessarily mean the practice is His design for humanity. We can all learn from these principles, for we all have authorities over us, and many of us have authority over others.

 

The fundamental tenet Paul unfolds here is that we serve our earthly supervisors with an eye to the Lord. We are servants of Christ before all else (v. 6), and key to serving Jesus well is doing the will of those in authority over us, insofar as that will does not violate God’s law, of course. Our Creator rules His creation through delegated authorities (cf. Romans 13:1–7); consequently, to obey the directives of authorities is to obey God Himself. Simply put, we cannot claim to be Christ’s servants if we do not heed those whom God has put over us. Such obedience must be rendered with respect, not begrudging contempt.

 

There is also an understanding that “work” is what we have been created for in God’s purpose and will. This brings glory to all of creation. Thus we should concentrate on doing whatever our “hands find to do” as if we are doing it to the Lord (cf. Ecclesiastes 9:10). This is how we can work worthy of our calling!

 

[NOTE: For a fuller explanation of work in the plan and purpose of God, please IM me with your email and I will send you an essay I recently wrote on this subject. Of course, there is no cost, nor will your information be shared with anyone.]