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SUNDAY 25 NOVEMBER 2018
Ephesians deals with topics at the very core of what it means to be a Christian—both in faith and in practice, it invites us to continue our journey of “Shema” - hearing and responding to the invitation and challenges God is placing on our hearts as individuals, households and as a community.
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Today we continue our exploration of relationships in Ephesians 6, specifically verses 5-9: Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.
In the garden there were no slaves, and work was God ordained. That’s still the same now. As we step into our identity as a loved and liked child of God, this needs to influence our hearts and our attitudes, whether we are employee or employer.
No matter our position, we are called to love and serve our God with your whole heart and create environments around you, as much as you have influence, that reflects we are not slaves: we are free. We are called to love, respect and honour; because as we do that it changes the atmosphere within in which we work, and as we do that it creates a person with whom God can trust, and when God trusts you He can grow your influence.