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Colossians 3.18-4.1
3.18 Wives, submit 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 provoke your children, lest they become discouraged. 22 Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. 25 For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.
4.1Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
What did you think of the passage today? I’m guessing that there are parts that you found just fine, and then there are parts where you may have been a bit uncomfortable. The passage is seemingly straightforward regarding how we interact with each other. But is it? Verses 3.23-24 are the key to understanding this passage beyond a set of rules for relationships (which many people make these things out to be).
Do you get it? It’s looking at all our relationships in balance with one another. However, as we look at our relationships, we must recognize an even greater relationship through which this general code of conduct is filtered through. It’s the understanding that all that we’re doing is for the Lord and not for ourselves or for someone else.
It’s amazing how that focus on Jesus and honoring Him changes our relationships, not just in the family, but in every relationship that touches our lives.
There is a great story about a college football coach who was amazing:
The story is an interview with Bud Wilkinson who coached the University of Oklahoma during the 50’s and 60’s. Consistently, his undefeated teams steamrolled the opposition. After his retirement to the broadcast booth, Coach Wilkinson was asked the secret of his success. How could he consistently mold young athletes into powerful teams, year after year?
This was Bud’s answer—
“When a football player goes into a game, he can play to a variety of audiences. He may play for the crowd in the stands, for example, working hard for their cheers and avoiding their boos. Or he might play for a special person in the stands—a girlfriend, maybe.
“A player may allow the other team to dictate his play. In other words, if the man across the line isn’t very good, then he doesn’t play well either. If the opponent cheats and plays dirty, so does he.
Some football players allow their teammates to determine the quality of their play. Some focus on the game officials, the referees. And of course, some play merely for themselves—they work hard to be the stars.
“Many audiences vie for the attention of the players. My men know, however, that there’s only one person watching the game that matters—only one person whom they have to please...me. Regardless of the cheers or boos, the strength of the opposition, the fairness of the officials, or the play of their teammates, I am the only audience that counts. When everyone knows that and plays that way, they pull together, do their best, give it their all, and win.”
The point of that story finds its origins in this passage. You and I “play” for only one, all the time, wherever we are, regardless of circumstances. Play, as it were, for your audience of one, for the Lord because He is with you and watching you—even greater, He is the one calling you to join Him in His purposes.
Following Jesus in this way radically alters how we perceive and interact in all of our relationships and upon reflection, we quickly realize that there are times when this is a joy and delight and other times that we find ourselves very challenged. However, with Jesus at the center of our hearts and minds, we are empowered to love and bless others beyond our limitations.
Colossians 3.23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.
God bless you, and know that I’m praying for you constantly.
Scott
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