We began our study by reading Colossians 3: 18-24 "Rules for Christian Living"
23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
One thing is true whether at our job or in a relationship, we are working! We’re always working at something, and since we spend so much of our time working we need to remember the Bible gives us some guidance on this very topic. This particular passage teaches us what our attitude should be in all our relationships.
"18Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.
19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters,
24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving."
One thing is true whether at our job or in a relationship, we are working! We’re always working at something, and since we spend so much of our time working we need to remember the Bible gives us some guidance on this very topic. This particular passage teaches us what our attitude should be in all our relationships.
In verses 18-22, Paul points out three common relationships found in the home- #1 - husband & wife, #2 - children & parents, and #3 - slaves & master. The similarity between all of these relationships is there is a position of authority and one of submission to that authority. We find ourselves in positions of authority and submission all the time, in many different forms.
We took a deeper look at what Colossians 3:23 teaches us about working through these relationships should look like.
Whatever the relationship, whatever the task, whatever the work we should give it our best! Paul was not speaking to a specific spiritual gift even (teaching, preaching, etc.), but he was speaking to anything we do. We must pour ourselves into all those relationships.
Whatever we do, we’re to work whole heartily. This means our work should be done with everything we’ve got! There should not be any laziness but putting everything we have into whatever we do. Paul also speaks of this in 1 Thess. 4:11-12 and 2 Thess. 3:10-12.
We took a deeper look at what Colossians 3:23 teaches us about working through these relationships should look like.
Whatever the relationship, whatever the task, whatever the work we should give it our best! Paul was not speaking to a specific spiritual gift even (teaching, preaching, etc.), but he was speaking to anything we do. We must pour ourselves into all those relationships.
Whatever we do, we’re to work whole heartily. This means our work should be done with everything we’ve got! There should not be any laziness but putting everything we have into whatever we do. Paul also speaks of this in 1 Thess. 4:11-12 and 2 Thess. 3:10-12.
No matter what the circumstances, we can find fulfillment and satisfaction in our work, as long as we keep this scripture priority. Paul wrote in 1 Thess. 2:3-5 about not working for men, and it shares the same reasoning as our passage here: "working for the Lord has eternal reward." There is no eternal reward is pleasing men. The problem in trying to please men is that it is impossible and people are mean. It’s impossible to make everyone happy all the time plus peoples’ moods and expectations change. Someone in authority might be one way one day and another way the next, which changes what we must do to please them.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever so if pleasing Him is our priority, we know that working heartily will rewarded because his expectations will not change!
Realizing that we are serving the Lord Christ, as it says in vs 24 of our passage, should change our perspective of our work. When we’re working (whether at a job or relationship), we have the opportunity to serve others, which could show them the character of Jesus.
All of that seems simple; however, I know that I fail it at this often. My prayer is that we will each work harder at our relationships and that we will encourage each other daily to have a good attitude towards life in general!
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