In continuing his efforts to
keep unity within the church located in Colosse, Paul the apostle
addressed several groups concerning their behavior towards one
another. Husbands, wives, children and servants were mentioned in
chapter three of his letter, and they were instructed that their
righteous deeds would destine them to “the reward of
inheritance” which Christ would give them when He returns. In
chapter four and verse one, Paul continues with his list of people
groups by including “masters” or “employers” in his
words. We read:
knowing that you also
have a Master in heaven.
The
verse begins, “Masters, give unto your
servants that which is just and equal;” Paul
began this verse with the word “Masters”
which were “the one to whom a person or thing belongs, about which
he has power of deciding; lord or one in command”. Today we would
think of this person being an “employer”. Paul's instruction to
the “masters” was
to “give” which
means “offer, afford, show or supply” “your servants”
or “attendants or bondmen”
“that which is just and equal” which
means “righteous, due, fair or according to divine law”.
“Masters” were not
to hold back anything that was righteous and fair from their
“servants”.
The
verse goes on to say, “knowing that you also have a
Master in heaven.” The
comparison given by Paul is “knowing”
which means “seeing, perceiving or discerning” “that
you also have a master” or
“one who owns and is over everything” “in heaven”
which is “the region above the sidereal heavens, the seat of
order of things eternal and consummately perfect where God dwells and
other heavenly beings”. As “masters” ruled over their
“servants”, they were to remember that they were ruled over from
heaven as well.
As we meditate upon these
words of Paul, we may think there are not as many “masters”
and “servants” in our world like these in Colosse,
however, there are “employers” and “employees”. As Christians
it does not matter what position we are in, because it is important
to know that we have a “master” over us in heaven. The
Lord Jesus is watching the way we conduct ourselves as employees, and
if there is any ingratitude by our employer, we must remember that
ultimately we work as unto the Lord. If we are in the position of
“employer”, we must not be too high minded and manage our
“employees” with unfairness and despite. The Lord is watching
over us, and Paul gives us our duties before Him. May we ever be
mindful that is for the Lord we work, and as we work before Him, may
we do all things pleasing in His eyes.
Next
time Paul shares concerning prayer with thanksgiving, so read ahead,
and we shall join
together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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