Wednesday, April 30th

Today's passage from the Bible In a Year Reading Plan is 1 Samuel 1-2; Psalm 86; John 18

Today's scripture focus is Ephesians 6:5-9

Ephesians 6:5-9

English Standard Version (ESV)

Bondservants and Masters

5 Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. 9 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.

Accompanying John MacArthur sermon: Spirit-Filled Labour Relations
Accompanying David Legge sermon: The Christian at Work

Though this passage uses the terms bondservants (or slaves) and masters (or lords) it is really meant the way we view the words employee and employer.

I don't want to get off topic and discuss slavery itself, but suffice it to say that abusive slavery has always been condemned in the Bible and that it is the spread of the gospel that causes the elimination of slavery as a practice.

This passage is pretty basic.  Employees need to work hard, they need to work ethically, they need to work efficiently, they need to work willingly, they need to work with a good attitude, they need to work productively - no matter who is or is not watching.

Even when their employers are rude or mean.  You always have the option of changing jobs, but if you've decided to work for someone, you need to submit to that relationship.  Employees need to obey their employers unless they are being told to sin.

Your service to your employer is an act of worship to God.  Your work is your mission field.  Every single Christian works in the ministry whether they are a janitor or a pastor.  There is no such thing as a part time Christian.

And employers?  Treat your employees the way Christ treats you.

This is a very simple passage.  Easy?  No, not always.  Simple? Yes.


Tomorrow's scripture focus: Ephesians 6:10-12

Tomorrow's Bible In a Year Passage passage: 1 Samuel 3-4, Psalm 87, John 19