November 13, 2011

Who are you to tell me? This is a haughty and aggressive statement that we have probably all used at one time or another. And if we haven’t used the statement, we have all thought it. Generally we feel this way when someone tries to lord it over us. But we might feel this way anytime someone in authority tells us to do something.

In Eph.5:21 Paul wrote, “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” This attitude of submission applies to all Christians in the church. It is an attitude that is to be carried into every area of life, even by those who do have authority. All Christians are to have a submissive attitude. The attitudes and virtues of the Christian life flow from Christ who is our Savior, Lord, and Master. As we look at Eph.6:1-9, we see that knowing Jesus Christ effects the way Christians relate to authority.

I. FAMILY LIFE IS TO BE NURTURING. Eph.6:1-4

All of us have a public face and a private face. That is literally true for many women who refuse to be seen in public without wearing makeup. But it is true in many other ways that are far more important. When Christians attend church on Sunday, we often look and act our best. We certainly want others at the church to think that we are true Christians. We smile. We greet others warmly. We put on our best behavior. After all, we are in church to worship God.

The problem with having a public face and a private face is that for many Christians the holy demeanor we display on Sundays comes off when we get home. There are many Christian homes in which swearing is not that unusual, angry yelling takes place often, and family members act selfishly around each other. By discussing family life, Paul is making it clear that our relationship with Christ and his church is meant to impact the way we behave at home.

With that in mind Paul begins with children, by saying, “Children obey your parents.” In every culture obedience to one’s parents is expected, even in a permissive culture like our own. A child who is disobedient never learns self control. Without self control a person is unable to deal with disappointment. Without self control a person is quickly frustrated and gives up when things don’t go their way. The school of obedience teaches us how to live in the world and how to deal with authority. But Paul reminds us that obedience in children is God’s idea. The fifth commandment says, “Honor your father and mother. And obedience to parents is what the Lord Jesus desires as well. Paul says, “Children obey your parents in the Lord.” Obedience is the way that we honor our parents.

Now, obviously this is a general statement. It’s general in nature because Paul is saying that the default setting for a child’s behavior ought to be obedience. The nature of obedience changes as a child grows into adulthood. After all, the point of obedience is to teach children how to be mature adults, so that they know how to discipline themselves in life. The younger we are, the more rules there will be. By the time we grow older we have adopted many of those rules as a matter of living.

And it should be understood that if parents tell their children to lie or do anything else that is dishonoring to God, the child must obey God. That is more apt to happen in a home in which the parents are not Christians and the children are. At least it should not happen in a Christian home.

Paul points out that where there is willing obedience there is a promise of long life on the earth. This is the promise found in the fifth commandment. Actually the fifth commandment promises a long life in the land, referring to the Promised Land. Obviously we are not living in the Promised Land today. I believe this is a general statement pointing out that where there is willing obedience on the part of children, there will be greater stability and security in family life, which will, in turn, make for a longer, healthier life.

But we must think about Paul’s words to parents, specifically fathers. Last week we mentioned how in the ancient world wives were treated as chattel. Husbands were in control and wives often came out on the short end of things. It was similar with children. A father had complete authority over his children and could discipline harshly and sell his child into slavery. Many fathers practiced infanticide by abandoning unwanted daughters or deformed babies. Paul is calling for parents to take loving care of their children. Authority in the home is for the purpose of nurturing our children in Christ.

Let’s just identify how parents can bring deep, lasting hurt to their children. Unreasonable expectations set a child up for failure. Sarcasm, constant criticism and belittling kill the eager, willing spirit of a child. Abuse, in its various forms, causes a child to lose the trust and security so necessary for becoming a mature adult. Parents who are angry at their own parents will often take their anger out on their children, perpetuating a cycle of dysfunction and destruction. As parents we reap what we sow.

As moms and dads, the most important thing we can do is to teach our children by example and instruction about the Lord. And that means that as parents we must make certain that we are humble, committed followers of Christ. It means that we need to be growing in our own knowledge of Christ and his word. Our lives must have integrity at home and outside of the home. If your kids see you cheating or lying, or involved in immorality that’s what they will learn regardless of what you say. If you can’t control your anger, don’t expect your children to control theirs. If you have to always be right and can’t admit to being wrong you will hurt your children. Raising children to know and love the Lord requires humble integrity before the Lord.

 

II. EMPLOYMENT IS TO BE HONORABLE. Eph.6:5-9

In the ancient world slavery was a well entrenched institution. Few, if any, questioned the morality of slavery. In Paul’s day at least one third of the population were slaves. Slavery is forced labor and as such is dehumanizing. Actually, from what I’ve read, the slavery that occurred in this country was far more degrading than the slavery that existed in the ancient world. In the ancient world, many slaves were well educated and put in charge of households. Slaves could own property and could even gain their freedom. People often wonder why the New Testament doesn’t speak out against slavery. The general answer is that had Paul called for the elimination of slavery, Christianity would not have been given a hearing. That’s how entrenched slavery was. In 1Cor.7:20-22 Paul writes, “Each one should remain in the situation which he was in when God called him. Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you–although if you can gain your freedom, do so. For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord’s freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ’s slave.” In Titus 2:9-10 we read, “Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, and not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. If Christian slaves all began demanding their freedom because they had become Christians, the Gospel would have been greatly hindered

Paul’s instructions to slaves in Ephesians are highly instructive for all who are employed. Employment is another venue for Christians to show the character and virtues of Jesus Christ. Like Christian slaves, Christians are to respect the authority of their employers. They are to show respect for their employers just as they show respect for Christ. I suppose there is a lazy streak within all of us. When we have a job to do and no one is watching, it’s not uncommon for us to sort of wile away the time. We might take a longer break or get into a conversation with a co-worker. But Paul tells us that we should always give our best effort, even when our employer is not watching. I realize that every job is a little different. Every work place has its own unwritten rules, but Christians must conscientiously do their work as unto the Lord. After all as Christians we are slaves of Christ. And Christ will reward our diligence

Likewise, Paul speaks to Christian slave owners, or employers. Employers are to recognize that they are under the authority of Christ, and must treat their employees with respect. Christian employers are not to use threats and anger to get more work out of their employees. In fact Christian employers must recognize that they are servants of Christ and treat their employees as fellow servants. So employers are to strive to be fair-minded and to treat their employees graciously with the love of Christ.

I realize that in Christian and non-Christian businesses, personnel decisions and relationships are often difficult. l It is easy for Christian employers and employees to get caught up in office politics. But we must strive to reflect the grace of Christ. The same is true for Christian employees verses non-Christian employees. When Christians work in secular environments they must do their best to honor Christ in their work. They must be diligent and have integrity. They must seek to be at peace with everyone. It’s not always easy. Many a Christian has been mistreated or passed over for promotion because they refused to play the political games. But we entrust our lives into the hands of God. In 1Pt.5:6-7 we read, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.” There is much we cannot control. We entrust our lives into the hands of God. Now just as Paul told Christian slaves that if they can gain their freedom, to do it, so I would say, if as an employee you can gain a desired promotion in a God honoring way, then go for it. I’m not suggesting that we let people walk all over us. I’m just saying that in whatever we do we seek to do it to the glory of God.

 

Let me remind us again, that all that Paul is writing about from Eph.5:22-6:9 is an application of Eph.5:21. We are all to have submissive attitudes to one another in the church, in marriage, in the family and in the workplace. Submissiveness is a Christian virtue cultivated with Spirit-filled humility. Amen