Domestic Affairs VI

“Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly. Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord.  Fathers, do not aggravate your children…” Col.3:18-21

God is saying to us this is how to live. However, you always have a choice with the Word of God. The Word of God is true and infallible but you always have a choice. You can either align or be out of line with the Word of God. When you align with the Word of God your marriage becomes awesome. When you align with the Word of God in choosing your marriage becomes awesome.

“Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord. Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ. But if you do what is wrong, you will be paid back for the wrong you have done. For God has no favorites” Col.3:22-25 [emphasis added]. In our own culture, we do not have slaves but we have house helps. So replace the word slaves with house helps and read it all over again. “Masters, be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that you also have a Master—in heaven” Col.4:1 [emphasis added]. If there is a place that abuse has been really strong it is in the master-help relationship. There are people that treat house helps so shabbily. God is saying to you today you also have a Master in heaven. What that implies is treat them the same way you want God to treat you. For some of us we need to repent because we have been extremely inconsiderate. The Word of God says be just and fair. This does not relate to house helps alone, if you are in any position of authority in maybe a manager at work, or a parent; if you are in any position of authority God expects you to be just and fair. If you have more than two children inevitably your heart will tilt towards one but God is saying be careful, be just. To be just means to do what is right. To be fair means to be without segregation, without discrimination. Parents, be just and fair to all our children. For those who are spiritual parents [house fellowship leaders, Pastor], even though you may tilt to some people, be just and fair to everyone. The Book of Colossians is just amazing, I encourage you to take time out to study it and I trust the Holy Spirit to reveal much more to you.

“Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and a thankful heart” Col.4:2 [emphasis added]. It is totally impossible to sustain fruitful Christian living without prayer.

Prayer: Lord, please help me see every position of authority as an opportunity to show case Jesus and help me devote myself daily to prayer and thanksgiving, in Jesus Name.