Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. - Colossians 3:24 NLT
Colossians 3:18-4:1 is about how our relationships with others: wives and husbands, children and fathers, and slaves and masters. There’s a key person in all of these relationships, and that’s the Lord. Wives are to submit to their husbands as they do to the Lord, out of love and respect for his position. Children are to obey their parents because it pleases the Lord, who is our Father in heaven. Slaves and employees are to obey and work willingly because they are really working for the Lord. These instructions come down to honoring the people that God has given authority over us and respecting that position. We might bristle at this thought, especially when we read “submit,” but that’s what God wants of us. (Romans 13:1, 1 Peter 2:13)
There are instructions in this passage for those in authority as well. Husbands are to love their wives and treat them well. Fathers are not to aggravate their children. Masters (employers) are to be just and fair. All of these are ways of following Jesus’ example, showing His love and kindness to those under their authority.
I think one of the most important things to remember is that none of these are conditional instructions. Paul didn’t say, “Children, obey your parents when they don’t aggravate you. You are free to disobey when they do.” I am to submit to and respect those who in authority no matter how they behave. It certainly makes it easier when they do their part, but it doesn’t get me off the hook if they don’t. And when I’m the one in authority, I still have to be kind and just and fair even to the most disrespectful person under me.
This is not to say that I have to stay in an abusive situation or I can’t terminate a terrible employee. The point is to remember that my true Master is Jesus and to represent Him to the best of my ability no matter what my role is in any given relationship. (See Ephesians 5:21-6:9 for more about our roles in different relationships.) Remembering that Jesus is in charge and that He has promised good things in my future helps me to fulfill my role in all my relationships.
Think About: How does remembering that Jesus is your Master help you fulfill your relationships roles?
If you’d like to learn more about what it means to have Jesus be your Master, please use the chat feature to contact me. I’d love to answer your questions.
As I have learned to submit to my Savior and trust Him that He has all things in control , It makes all the difference in all of my relationships. Especially those where I question the logic or heart of the ones in authority over me. I can surrender to Jesus that even if I don't understand He can and will ultimately be in control even through lives that don't necessarily seek to honor and follow Him.
terri