How can we apply "obey your earthly masters" in today's workplace environment? Setting the Scene • Picture Monday morning: alarms, coffee, deadlines, supervisors’ emails already pinging. • The Spirit anticipated this bustle when He guided Paul to write: “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ” (Ephesians 6:5). • Although the workplace has shifted from ancient servitude to modern employment, the command still breathes authority and relevance. What Ephesians 6:5 Says “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear and sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.” • “Obey” – carry out directives. • “Earthly masters” – the human authorities God has placed over us at work. • “Respect and fear” – an attitude of reverence, not eye-rolling compliance. • “Sincerity of heart” – genuine, not performative. • “Just as you would obey Christ” – the ultimate motive and measure. Timeless Principles Behind the Command 1. Authority is God-ordained (Romans 13:1). 2. Work is worship when done unto the Lord (1 Corinthians 10:31). 3. Character matters as much as competence (Proverbs 10:9). 4. Faithfulness in little precedes stewardship of much (Luke 16:10). Bringing It to the Workplace • Employee manuals, timecards, and job descriptions are today’s “master’s orders.” • The boss you like and the boss you endure both fall under “earthly masters.” • Remote work, gig assignments, and part-time shifts are still spheres for obedience. • Respect shows in punctuality, tone of voice, email etiquette, and follow-through. Practical Walk-Out Steps • Start tasks promptly instead of procrastinating. • Finish projects to specification, not merely to personal preference. • Speak kindly of supervisors, even when they are absent. • Give a day’s work for a day’s wage—avoid time-theft through excessive scrolling or side hustles on company time. • Seek clarification rather than silently ignore directions you don’t understand. • Offer solutions, not just complaints. • Keep confidences; avoid gossip that undermines leadership. • Accept feedback without defensiveness; learn and adjust. Guardrails and Balances • When told to violate God’s law, respectfully decline—“We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29). • Report abuse or illegal activity; Scripture never endorses sin or harm. • Employers, too, have obligations: “Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them” (Ephesians 6:9). Motivation and Reward • “Whatever you do, work at it with your whole being, for the Lord and not for men… It is the Lord Christ you are serving” (Colossians 3:23-24). • God sees hidden diligence and will settle accounts with eternal rewards (1 Corinthians 3:14). • Faithful work adorns the gospel, making doctrine attractive to onlookers (Titus 2:9-10). Closing Encouragement • Monday’s meeting room can be holy ground when approached in “sincerity of heart.” • Every task—from spreadsheets to sweeping—becomes a platform to honor Christ. • By obeying earthly supervisors, we echo the obedience of the Son who perfectly fulfilled His Father’s will, showing the world a living picture of ordered, joyful submission. |
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