Monthly Archive for November, 1996

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Colossians 3:23

Published on November 20, 1996 in Colossians. 0 Comments
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23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,
 

 

"And whatever you do, do it heartily"

 
God wants the employee (“bondslave”) to serve diligently, not carelessly. God does not want us to attend our employer with displeasure no matter the nature of our employment.
 
“Heartily” means out of the soul. Whatever we do we do it with a genuine attitude originating from our soul. This labor comes from essential character that comes from within. We do not serve out of show. Our work then is not mechanical or perfunctory.
We will exert power from the soul at our job or place of employment. We may hate our job but God wants us to look at it as an opportunity to serve him enthusiastically.
The Greek uses two different words for “do” in this verse. The first means to work or labor the second word is an advance meaning to work diligently. There is a double stress in this verse upon diligence:
1) “heartily” or out of the soul and
2) “do” with diligence. God expects us to put in whole-hearted day’s work at our employment.
Principle:
God wants us to discharge our job with enthusiasm.
Application:
Ultimately we honor God when we faithfully do our job. If we do not work with enthusiasm then we are not in God’s will. God wants us to do everything at work with a sense of enthusiasm. No work is dreary with this perspective. What a difference from trying to get by with as little effort as possible!
Whatever job to which God called us, he wants us to serve him with it. Our work may subsist as a menial job; we may dislike our work. Still God wants us to serve him heartily in that job. He wants us to throw ourselves in our work.
Serving the Lord at our job gives dignity to what we do. We may sweep floors, wash dishes, change diapers or empty the trash. We may work at an office where everyone cuts corners and takes long coffee breaks but we break that standard. The Christian does not operate on the same standards as the herd. Our boss is in heaven. Therefore, we throw our heart into our work.
All work is sacred before the Lord. Nothing is unimportant that we do when we serve him.

 

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Colossians 3:22c

Published on November 19, 1996 in Colossians. 0 Comments
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“Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.”
 
"but in sincerity of heart"
 
“Sincerity of heart” means simplicity, sincerity, uprightness, frankness. “Sincerity” first meant “simple” and then it came to mean “open.” It means no ulterior motive. God wants us to work out of a motivation of a genuine heart. This goes beyond working to impress the boss. This person operates with pure motives, singleness of purpose (Eph. 6:5).
 
"fearing God"
“Fearing God” means we work out of a respect for God. God wants us to work at our employment as if we were working for God.
We are under the surveillance of God every moment. The quality of our work should reflect that God is watching. One of the names of God in the Old Testament is El Roi, “the God who sees.” He is watching whether your employer is in sight or not.
Principle:
The Christian serves his employer from an inner monitor, the monitor of character.
Application:
The Christian works from character; he is reliable and trustworthy under any circumstance whether anyone is watching or not. That is what makes the difference between a Christian and a non-Christian at work.
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Colossians 3:22b

Published on November 18, 1996 in Colossians. 0 Comments
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“Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.”
 
"obey in all things your masters according to the flesh"
 
The central command to the employee is to “obey.” They are to obey their “masters” (employers). The quality of the Christian employee should be different from those without Christ. An owner should see the difference immediately.
 
We would think that it would be sufficient that these slaves simply obey but they are to obey “in all things.” God does not want us to justify sloppy work.
These masters are only masters “according to the flesh.” Our true master is Jesus Christ.
"not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers"
“Eyeservice” means to serve with a view to impressing others. This person serves his boss in order to call attention to himself. He keeps his eye on the clock. He tries to get by with as little work as possible. God wants us to do our best.
“Men-pleasers” means to fear the boss. God wants us to work in fear of himself, not men. God wants us to go beyond the watchful eye of our employers. Some people only do a good job when their boss is watching.
This is service performed only to attract attention. This is not for its own sake, nor to please God or one’s own conscience This pleases men at the sacrifice of principle. When the boss is not watching, they loaf on the job.
God wants us to work under his watchful eye. The employee that keeps his eye on the boss and does only enough work to get by, is not the biblical ideal. God wants us to put in a good day’s work.
Principle:
God wants us to work at our jobs with faithfulness and efficiency.
Application:
God wants us to do our jobs with a sense of significance. This significance comes from service of God. The boss is irrelevant in this kind of motivation. Our job should never become dreary or monotonous with this philosophy of life. God is our ultimate employer. We serve a higher cause.
The eye of God is always upon us. It should make no difference if the eye of the boss is upon us. God’s eye should govern all that we do at work.
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Colossians 3:22

Published on November 17, 1996 in Colossians. 0 Comments
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“Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.”
 
"Bondservants"
In Paul’s day there were 60 million slaves. They were the work force of that day. Paul never commanded that slaves rise up and revolt against the institution of slavery. He asked that they be the best where they were in the situation they found themselves. Often slaves were the leaders and managers of the Roman empire.
 
God has geared Christianity in such a way that it can work in any situation, under any government and in any culture. There was no society for the prevention of cruelty to slavery. A slave owner could do whatever he pleased without fear of prosecution from the law. They bragged about their roads but slavery was rampant everywhere. Christianity flourished in an environment of slavery. Environment was no hindrance to the dynamic of Christianity. In that atmosphere the gospel flourished.Christianity was a new, small and upstart institution in the first century. The influence of Christianity over time put an end to slavery.
 
When these slaves heard that there was hope in Christ, thousands turned to Christ as their Savior. They had a purpose and someone to live for. The gospel has always appealed to the underdog. They are humble enough to hear it. The self-sufficient have no need of the gospel.
Many slave owners came to Christ as well. Evidently some wealthy people did not view themselves as self-sufficient. Thank God some of them came to Christ. When they do they often are great leaders in the cause of Christ.
Today the application to this passage would be to the employee in most parts of the world.
Principle:
There is hope in Christ no matter what the circumstance.
Application:
Do you find yourself in a situation where you deem there is no hope? Have you considered Christ? He will give you a sense of purpose and peace.
A person can become a Christian by:
1)     recognizing that his sin violates a holy God, even a sin such as pride or anger;

2) by understanding that Jesus Christ paid for that sin by his death on the cross; and

3) placing faith personally in Christ’s death for your sin. Will you do that today?
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Colossians 3:21c

Published on November 16, 1996 in Colossians. 0 Comments
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“Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”
 
"lest they become discouraged"
Parents can discourage their children. The word “discouraged” means dishearten. Children can feel like giving up. Discouragement is lack of motivation.
PRINCIPLE:  Parents can discourage their children.
APPLICATION:  Some parents train their children indirectly that it is not important to go to church.  It is more important to go to the lake than to go to church.  Children soon learn our evaluation of things.  They know what is important to us by our actions rather than by what we say.  They can tell if spiritual things are truly important to us. 
If parents sit around and have roast preacher for supper, children will understand the parents view of the church.  We wonder why children do not respect the pastor or the church.  All they ever hear about the church is what is wrong with the church.  When they get old enough they will not want to become involved with an outfit like that.  They see the hypocrisy of the parents because they have listened to the criticism of the parent for so long.  Their parents criticized the board, the staff and the music program.  Children absorb this.  They grow cynical of the church.  Then they drop out. 
All the weeping in the world will not change it.  By the time our children reach their teens there is little we can say to bring them back.  If you still have little ones around, be careful how you criticize God’s servants and God’s church.  Those little ears are listening.  We put a great deal of time in those little lives.  To have them grow up and reject Christianity, how ironic!  If they go on to reject Christ, marry an unbeliever, we will look back and say, “Was it worth it to criticize the cause of Christ?”
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Colossians 3:21b

Published on November 15, 1996 in Colossians. 0 Comments
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“Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”
 
"lest they become discouraged"
 
The word “discouraged” means to become disheartened and hence lack motivation. This is the only occurrence of this word in the New Testament. One of the reasons for rebellion in some teenagers is that they are discouraged by most of things they have done in life. They have not had much encouragement from their parents.
 
God wants us to encourage our children. He wants us to praise them for what they do right. Constant criticism will discourage them. They may become disheartened in their attempts to please their parents.
There are two ways to ruin children in a hurry.
1. Some parents make children feel guilty for something they are not doing. That is no way to get your way in anything much less with our children. This tampers with the soul of the child. Instead of operating on proper norms for life, children will operate on guilt feelings. These children will grow up with guilt complexes. It is important to control children without making them feel guilty.
2. Other parents nag their children for just about everything. They will nag about any little thing…nag, nag, nag. When a big issue comes the child will not hear the parent because he is dulled by constant nagging. When the big issue comes the parent has to shout so loud the child cannot hear them. This is especially true with teenagers. “Comb your hair Susie! Comb…” When the big issue comes she will not hear her parent. It is the same old stuff. She will not pay her parent any attention. Some parents are natural born naggers. They lose all effectiveness in parenting.
Principle:
God’s primary role for the parent is to encourage their children.
Application:
Parents, are you encouraging your children?
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Colossians 3:21

Published on November 14, 1996 in Colossians. 0 Comments
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“Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.”
 
"Fathers, do not provoke your children"
 
“Fathers” in this context means parents. The word “provoke” means to exasperate, to become disheartened and hence lack motivation. Parents are not to exasperate their children. “Provoke” carries the idea of bitter, irritate. Ephesians used a different Greek word meaning exasperate (Eph. 6:4).
 
Parents can provoke their children by perpetual censure or fretful anger. They may nag their children about inconsequential things. They rub them the wrong way.
Parents possess authority in their role. God does not want them to exercise uncontrolled authority. Severe discipline makes children bitter and exasperates their personhood. Poor judgment in the exercise of authority hinders the development of their children.
This does not mean that the parent is never to do anything that might irritate their children. Discipline often irritates children. The word “irritate” is in the continuous tense in the Greek. “Do not keep on irritating your children.” If parents nag their children it will dampen their spirits.
Principle:
If parents irritate their children they will demotivate them; if they commend them they will encourage and strengthen them.
Application:
Here are some principles that may help parents avoid exasperating their children:
1. Under discipline causes exasperation.
Unannounced rules made known after the child breaks them causes exasperation. Exasperation is caused by too many rules; a rule should be followed through to the stated punishment. Rules should be clearly stated; rules should not come out of disaster. Under discipline is caused by divided authority. Under discipline creates frustration resulting in yelling and other false systems of correction.
2. Over discipline causes frustration as well.
Some Christians over react to the permissiveness of society and flaunt authority to their children.
3. Unfair punishment causes exasperation.
When a parent fails to distinguish what a child must learn on his own and what must be enforced as a rule, the parent will punish the child capriciously.
4. Withdrawal of affection causes exasperation in the child.
There must be a balance between discipline and love. All discipline should be done in love and not out of personal injury. Discipline is not the same as punishment. Discipline seeks the welfare of the child in correction. Sentimentality, not love, withholds discipline. If we do not believe in discipline we do not believe in standards and judgment. Discipline strengthens the moral bonds between parent and child. Sentimentality thinks that fear and love cannot coexist together (Deut. 6:4,5,13).
5. Parents must not simply threaten as a way of discipline.
Discipline should be an event. This ends scolding, nagging and swatting. Discipline brings a spirit of authority to the home. Discipline maintains an atmosphere of stability in the home. Discipline should be reserved for disobedience, not discord. Rebellion to authority is the issue.
6. After discipline, express forgiveness to the child.
Obedience has to do with outlook. Children should rebel against an action but never against our attitude.
Parents are to encourage their children. Ephesians warns against discouraging our children. Discouragement means to lose heart. It is important to give the child a sense of belonging, worth and confidence. They need to understand their needs and fears. Children need supervision and help.
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Colossians 3:20d

Published on November 13, 1996 in Colossians. 0 Comments
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“Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.”
 
"for this is well pleasing to the Lord"
 
Obedience is the key to a young person’s relationship to the Lord. If a young person disobeys his parents, he will experience a deep discontent for he will break his relationship with the Lord.
 
God marks obedient young people with special approbation or favor. Obedience within the divine institution of the family pleases the Lord. In Ephesians 6:1 God calls obedience to parents “proper,” “just” or “right.”
Ephesians 6:2 adds that it is not enough that children obey their parents but that they honor them. Children must esteem their parents if they please God. This is the first commandment with promise (Eph. 6:2), that is, it will be well with children and they will live long on the earth. This is the fifth of the ten commandments.
Obedience to parents is commendable to the Lord. The child should not worry about justice or injustice or malpractice. The child should do this as unto the Lord.
The words “well pleasing” is translated “acceptable” in Romans 12:1 “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.”
This word is also found in Hebrews 13:21 “make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.” If you really want to please the Lord, obey your parents. This is one of the few places in Scripture that the Bible states something as pleasing the Lord.
One reason obedience pleases the Lord is that parental authority gives security to the child. If a child does as he likes, there is no security in that. If a child does as he ought, that brings the security he needs. We are free from disease when we obey the laws of health. We cannot expect mental health if we violate the laws of mental hygiene. Authority serves the young person’s best interests. Mastery of self is possible only through yielding to authority.
Children should grow progressively out from under the absolute authority of the parents if the home is healthy. As a baby, the child should be under the absolute authority of the parent because the child has no capacity for decision making. As the child gains some understanding of the laws of life, the parent gives away some authority. Later as the child learns to independently apply these laws as managed by himself the parent gives more authority to the young person.
Parents who are healthy welcome the use of healthy authority in the young person. Eventually the young person may develop his own authority (by character) in a number of areas of his life. The older a young person becomes the more independence he should have if all things are equal.
Principle:
Obedience to parents is a commendable ideal to God.
Application:
Do you want the special favor of God? Obey your parents.
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Colossians 3:20c

Published on November 12, 1996 in Colossians. 0 Comments
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“Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.”
 
"in all things"
 
There is no exception to obedience to the parents–”in all things.” The Greek implies that this means “according to the standard of all things.” Obedience to the standards (policies) of the parent should be without exception. God expects total obedience.
 
Principle:
God expects total obedience to the parent.
Application:
Partial obedience does not please God for it leaves margin for us to do our own thing. God wants all loopholes plugged.
It is easy to obey parents when the demand is agreeable to our desires and it is convenient for us. What if Jesus obeyed the Father in all things except the cross? Our sins would not have been forgiven.
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Colossians 3:20b

Published on November 11, 1996 in Colossians. 0 Comments
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“Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord.”
 
"Children, obey your parents"
 
Disobedient children are the cause of much of the strife and division in the home. Some teens become very rebellious in their late teens. If they cannot accept the authority of their parents then they need to hit the road! When children leave their home then they establish a new home and authority.
 
Without divine institution there is no freedom. There is no freedom without principles. To maintain freedom we need law. If there is no traffic light there is no freedom to drive with safety. Law protects freedom. Children need to learn respect for authority so that a maximum number of people can operate in freedom. Respect for authority and property are basic concepts of life.
The two principles of freedom and authority are not separate. Without authority of divine institutions there is no freedom. Children mistake exercise of authority for thwarting of their freedom to do things for themselves.
Parents who gossip and malign authority destroy the principle of authority to their children. Even if the President does not follow biblical principles, respect for the office is crucial. This principle carries over in many phases of life whether it be athletics, education or any form of administration. They learned the principle of disobedience from their parents.
If children do not respect the authority of the parent, coach or teacher, then one day the police officer may bring him to the door. The parent has not taught the principle of authority.
Children who attend church must learn to respect the authority of the church. If the parents gossip and malign those in authority, then how can they expect their children to do differently?
The first chapter of Romans sets before us the devolution of mankind. One characteristic of this devolution is disobedience to parents, “being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents” (Romans 1:29,30).
II Timothy 3:1,2 warns that a characteristic of the last days is disobedience to parents, “But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come: For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy.”
Authority gives the child something to stand upon. It gives him security. The parent cannot yield to the authority of the child. Much authority has shifted in our generation to children who do not have the maturity to make sound judgment. That is why so many children are insecure.
Principle:
Disobedience violates divine institutions.
Application:
There are children who assume superiority over their parents. They flaunt independence from their parents. Unregulated lives can lead to destructive behavior patterns.
Nowhere does it say in the Bible, “Obey if the parents comply with the children’s plans.” Children must submit to the policies of the parents if they operate under the divine institution of the family properly.
In every young person’s heart is a spirit of rebellion. We are born that way. We are born with an anarchistic spirit. We want to reign on the throne. “I will do what I please and the devil take the hindmost. No one is going to tell me what to do.”
If we do not learn how to submit to authority when we are young, then big trouble lies ahead. If we do not obey our parents then we will not obey the coach. We will not be a team player. If we do not obey our parents we will not obey the law or law enforcement authorities.
It is natural for us to disobey authority because we want our own way. We want to be our own God. No one likes authority. Today people hate authority. Much music of our day express the value of independence and freedom.
If you want security and order in your life, obey your parents.
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