SERVANTS OF CHRIST
EPHESIANS 6:5-9
EPHESIANS 6:5-9 NKJ
5 Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; 6 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.
9 And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
Paul gave some interesting instructions to the Ephesian church. He spoke in general terms to the entire church in the early chapters revealing what it meant to be in Christ, and how we all are supposed to live.
He also gave instructions directly pertaining to husbands and wives, children and parents.
Now in verses 5-9 of chapter six, Paul speaks to servants and masters.
I can't imagine belonging to someone else as their property. But in this letter, Paul does not discuss freedom but rather how to live as a slave. He encourages servants to work as unto Christ, not when people are watching, but serving from the heart. He refers to their masters as earthly masters, indicating that their heavenly master is the One they are really working for. Paul also reminds them that when they act in this way, the Lord will reward them regardless of their slave status. "As to the Lord, and not to men" is the key phrase. There is a spiritual order to things that supersedes the natural visible order.
Paul also reminds masters that they have a Master in heaven and will be held accountable to Him. So we see one Lord ruling over slave and master. With that in mind, the entire interchange operates on a much higher, kinder level.
APPLICATION
These words are inspired just as the entire letter with its amazing revelation is inspired. These words are not condoning slavery but revealing a way for an existing system to work on a higher level. When doing service as to the Lord, He can be involved in a greater way. Later in his letter to the Corinthians Paul admonishes slaves that if they can be set free to exercise that option. But for this letter, we see the heart of living for the Lord, our Master, regardless of status.
I firmly believe we can apply the same principles to employer/employee relationships today. We can do service as to the Lord and not our boss. We can treat our employees well knowing we have an "employer" in heaven and are accountable to Him.
If we take these verses to heart, believers should be the best employees/employers or managers/bosses on the planet. So, on Monday go to work for a new boss. One who is totally fair and has your best interest at heart. One who never forgets or overlooks the good you do for Him. Whatever you do, do it as unto the Lord.