Christians at Home and Work
September 6, 2009 Colossians 3:18-4:1
Last week’s message ended with Colossians 3:17
Colossians 3:17 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.
This is what we have been called to do in our lives as the disciples of Jesus Christ. This is true at all times and wherever you are. As we continue studying this book today, we see how Paul applies this admonition to our home and work relationships.
Colossians 3:18-19 18Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them
He is getting at the basics here. The relationship between husband and wife is the most intimate human relationship. What God intends for this relationship to be is very different from what the world tries to make it and what in many cases it ends up being. The world is trying to tell us that marriage does not even have to be between a man and a woman, and some in the church agree! But we are still among those folks who believe that the Bible is God’s Word, and we take it as such. In His Word, God tells us that marriage should be pure, holy, chaste.
The call to Christians in marriage is in context of “do it all in the name of Jesus.” The marriages of Christians are not to have just an external difference from the world. It is not simply less quarrelling and bickering and unfaithfulness, although these things should be true. We are talking about a relationship that is entirely different because it is founded upon Jesus and includes Him in the relationship. Our values as His disciples will shine through in the way we speak to each other and treat each other.
Paul gives a more extensive treatment of the relationship between husbands and wives in Ephesians 5. What he writes here is a synopsis of what God revealed to Him. It needs to be understood as a whole, the instructions to both spouses. Wives are to submit to their husbands as to the Lord. Husbands are to love their wives as Christ loved the Church, which was enough to die for it. The husband is to treat his wife with kindness, gentleness, consideration, dignity, and respect. He is to show her the love God has shown us in Christ. If a husband loves his wife in this way, she will have no problem submitting to him the way God intends. It is a two way street. It is not a master/slave relationship, but a partnership. There is to be open and honest communication and discussion. Husband and wife will share their feelings and discuss family issues in a reasonable and loving manner. They will seek guidance from God in His Word and pray for wisdom and sound Christian judgment. That is what God intends the marriage relationship to be.
There are no perfect marriages on earth. Those that are successful take work and effort. If Christ’s love fills the hearts of husbands and wives and they seek to follow His counsel, His guidance, His wisdom, they will build a relationship that can and will endure as long as they both shall live.
The next topic is the relationship of parents and children.
20Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged
Again, God is describing through Paul the ideal. If a marriage is blessed with children, they are to be viewed as a wonderful gift from God and a tremendous responsibility. Every new parent thinks “I’m never going to fight with this precious child.” Or “I want to give him everything in the world.” God gives you responsibility for and authority over your children. Never mind what society says – right now we are talking about God’s plan. You are responsible for every aspect of your child’s life: physical, emotional, social, mental, and spiritual. You are not doing your child any favors to let him or her do as he or she pleases. Too many families are under too much stress because parents have let the children be in control and make the decisions. Children make their decisions without the knowledge and experience and guidance from God’s Word that the parents should possess, and that is why the decisions of children often lead them down the wrong path.
If you want what is best for your children, remember this admonition: 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. You will at times have to make decisions that will be unpopular with your children. Parents, you are the grown ups, and that means you have responsibilities! It is something that gets handed down from one generation to the next. Cheryl and I have not been perfect parents. We’ve made plenty of mistakes and had our share of heartaches. But we sought to raise our daughters according to God’s Word. Many people, including some in our own families, told us we were too strict. But often times those same people came back and asked us why their children were getting in so much trouble. Some of them have come back and said they wished they had done what we had done when they look at how our girls turned out and how their children turned out.
Let me make it clear that we are not taking the credit for this- all we did was try to follow what God says in His Word. You can do the same. Your life will always go better if you follow God’s ways. We taught our children to know and believe in Jesus as their Savior. We tried to model for them how that makes you different from those who don’t know Him. We taught them to obey Him and us as His representatives in their lives. This is how you show God’s love.
God promises parents who require obedience and children who give it the blessings of a peaceful and happy home. That doesn’t mean it is always easy. There is plenty of opposition from the world and peers. Obedience has to be taught, at times insisted upon through discipline and correction and punishment. You have to find the balance between letting a child run wild and being too harsh with them. If your loving desire is to help your children conform to God’s will for their lives, you are on the right path. Children can become embittered both through excessive harshness and the lack of proper direction and discipline. So parents have a big responsibility.
The best way to fulfill that responsibility is to nourish your children in the message of God’s love in Christ. Make sure they know and understand and hear repeatedly that God loved them enough to let Jesus come into this world to pay the price for their sins. Make it personal. Remind them that Jesus is their Savior. Remind your child of his or her Baptism. Talk about the punishment we deserve that Jesus took for us. Speak of the difference we have because Jesus died in our place and rose from the dead. This should be part of your conversations in your homes. It should be a part of your lives as much as eating or breathing. And you should attend worship TOGETHER. Bring them to Sunday School and MidWeek and Activities and attend Bible Class yourself to show them the importance of such activities. Spend time together in God’s Word as a FAMILY.
If your children know that you have their best interests as heart, if your life and behavior has shown that and modeled Christ’s love, they will recognize that and be more willing to obey. You will still face opposition from the sinful nature of everyone involved and temptations of the devil. It is not easy, but remember:
Proverbs 22:6 Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism. 1Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.
Slaves were a part of households in those days. They would do everything from food preparation and cleaning to working in the family business. As Christianity spread, many became believers, including slaves and masters. So what should their relationship be? While slave trading was condemned (1 Tim. 1:10) there is no call in Scripture for the abolition of slavery or revolution.
Instead, Paul focuses on a change of heart. Paul tells people to concentrate on Living as Disciples in whatever circumstances they find themselves. When hearts change, necessary social changes will follow. If masters and slaves are able to look at one another as brothers and sisters in Christ, you eliminate the evil and harshness and brutality that would normally exist in that relationship.
To slaves he says, Obey your masters in everything. The only exception would be if they tell you to go against God (Acts 5:29). Their obedience is to be genuine and sincere, not just when others are watching. The obedience of slaves would go a long way in promoting the cause of Christ. This comes from knowing that our labors are ultimately done for Jesus.
My father taught me early on to always do the best job I could do in any situation with the talents and abilities God had given me. I was taught to never settle for shoddy workmanship or a half-hearted effort. When I read verses 23-24, I hear my father speaking. And this is true no matter what you calling in life. Do it all as if you were doing it for Jesus!
I wonder how many masters were led to faith in Christ because of the witness of their slaves! Christian masters are told to treat their slaves as fellow believers, remembering that we all have the same heavenly Master. The principles apply also to employee/employer situations today. Christians are serving their Lord by doing their work to the best of their ability, remembering they are actually doing it for Jesus. He knows the attitude of your hearts. God would also have employers treat employees fairly and justly. What would happen in our business dealings if we all treated each other with respect and Christian love? We have been shown God’s love in Christ. What would happen in our lives if we treated everyone with respect and Christian love?
