Ephesians 6:5-9
3R's
Prayer-Lord, open my heart and open my mind and help me learn. G-F-W. Amen.
Ephesians 6:5-9 (The Message)
5Servants, respectfully obey your earthly masters but always with an eye to obeying the real master, Christ. 6Don't just do what you have to do to get by, but work heartily, as Christ's servants doing what God wants you to do. 7And work with a smile on your face, always keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, you're really serving God. 8Good work will get you good pay from the Master, regardless of whether you are slave or free.
9Masters, it's the same with you. No abuse, please, and no threats. You and your servants are both under the same Master in heaven. He makes no distinction between you and them.
In older translations of these verses they started out saying,"slaves, obey your masters." I used the Message translation because it is less confusing. Does Paul support slavery? Many Christians through the years have used these verses to support slavery. Before the Civil War, in this country,these words were spouted from pulpits all over the south. What is Paul saying?
Paul did not support the overthrow of earthly governments. Many people of Jesus' day thought Jesus was sent to deliver them from Rome. Jesus came to deliver us from sin, from evil, and from hell, not an earthly government. Paul also realized that change needs to come from everyone. For slavery to effectively end, the owners and masters needed to make that change.
Paul also equates servants to us , and earthly masters to Jesus. We must obey Jesus, even when we do not understand why. Serving wholeheartedly-- so that we may do His will. Serve always, not just when people are watching. Paul also tells his followers to be good masters, treating everyone the same. Our Lord in heaven shows no favorites, so shouldn't we act the same?
Prayer- Dear Lord, help me to be both a good sevant and a good master. Give me the strength and wisdom to do your work the way you would have it done. Go-Fight-Win. Amen.
Things to do- Read Ephesians 6:10-18-- Be ready to get dressed for the Lord.
Prayer-Lord, open my heart and open my mind and help me learn. G-F-W. Amen.
Ephesians 6:5-9 (The Message)
5Servants, respectfully obey your earthly masters but always with an eye to obeying the real master, Christ. 6Don't just do what you have to do to get by, but work heartily, as Christ's servants doing what God wants you to do. 7And work with a smile on your face, always keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, you're really serving God. 8Good work will get you good pay from the Master, regardless of whether you are slave or free.
9Masters, it's the same with you. No abuse, please, and no threats. You and your servants are both under the same Master in heaven. He makes no distinction between you and them.
In older translations of these verses they started out saying,"slaves, obey your masters." I used the Message translation because it is less confusing. Does Paul support slavery? Many Christians through the years have used these verses to support slavery. Before the Civil War, in this country,these words were spouted from pulpits all over the south. What is Paul saying?
Paul did not support the overthrow of earthly governments. Many people of Jesus' day thought Jesus was sent to deliver them from Rome. Jesus came to deliver us from sin, from evil, and from hell, not an earthly government. Paul also realized that change needs to come from everyone. For slavery to effectively end, the owners and masters needed to make that change.
Paul also equates servants to us , and earthly masters to Jesus. We must obey Jesus, even when we do not understand why. Serving wholeheartedly-- so that we may do His will. Serve always, not just when people are watching. Paul also tells his followers to be good masters, treating everyone the same. Our Lord in heaven shows no favorites, so shouldn't we act the same?
Prayer- Dear Lord, help me to be both a good sevant and a good master. Give me the strength and wisdom to do your work the way you would have it done. Go-Fight-Win. Amen.
Things to do- Read Ephesians 6:10-18-- Be ready to get dressed for the Lord.
posted by Steve Killam TMTL | 2:47 PM
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