So i decided to read the whole of Eph 6: 11Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2"Honor your father and mother" (this is the first commandment with a promise), 3"that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land." 4Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.
5Slaves,obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, 6not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. 9Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.
10Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. 11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. 12For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
It was interesting how Paul started off addressing relationship issues. And even before that it talks about Wives & Husbands and how that refers to Christ and the Church. Goes on to talk about Children & Parents and Slaves & Masters. I believe it speaks about How to live in love for one another? At the same time, its talks about Flesh and Blood.
For the relationships above mentioned, it is highly possible to be easily wrestling with the other party anyday or even anytime. I struggle with my relationship with my parents or my superiors. Amazing but my fight is NOT against them. Yet, it so easy and so real to be involved in "a fight" with them. Therefore, Eph6 starts off by teaching us on our correct approaches to the relationships in our lives. If that didnt break the mindsets, Paul then re-emphasizes that its not our wrestle against flesh and blood.
What is God saying to me?- Stop fighting "them"!
Application: To submit to God and Guard my relationships against the evil one.
Today, there was a problem at workplace which concerns the Slave and Master issue. I found it easy to tell someone to submit to authorities but not always that someone (non-christian) will listen. But this gave an opportunity to put into practice/say what I've meditated upon during my quiet time.
Narash (Lion of God)
1 comment:
Amen. I like your application. We are not Christians becos we wear a tag that says we are one. People see us through the way we lead our lives. It is important to be consistent in our values and principles inside and especially outside of church. Continue to do so!
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