Wednesday August 10, 2022

Today is Wednesday, August 10 and this week we are studying Paul’s letter to the Ephesians chapter six.

As I enter this time of prayer, I pause to be still and be with the God who loves me.

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, here I am to meet with you. Open my mind to understand your word. Teach me, guide me, and transform me today. Amen.

I praise God for walking through life with me daily with the words of Psalm 143.

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,

Psalm 143:8-10

Pause and Pray

Today we continue to explore the reciprocal duties explained by Paul in his practical instruction for Christian life. Paul describes a single new humanity, which God is creating through Christ. He began with the relationships between husbands and wives, parents and children, and now he speaks to another part of the structure of ancient society: masters and slaves. The institution of slavery was completely accepted as part of the labor structure at the time Paul wrote his letter to the Ephesians. In fact, a high percentage of the population were slaves. Although the practice of slavery is not consistent with the message of Christ, Paul does not use this particular letter to advocate the abolition of slavery. The fact that Paul addresses them gave them agency as valued members of the Christian community. Instead, he invites the slaves to change their perspective to a higher call to follow the will of God and the freedom of serving Christ.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Ephesians 6:5-6

The focus of this passage is solely on Christ. It is by him and through him that the image of God is being restored in me and in the world. What Paul shares about the relationship in this passage can be applied to my own vocation. Society has one view of my work or employment, but in Christ, everything changes. As a follower of Jesus living a new life in him, I am called to see the world in a new way. Creator God has created order and given me the responsibility and pleasure of working in the world he made. All things were created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. (Colossians 1:16-17) As my perspective shifts to see that my work is for the Lord, my attitude about everything I do changes.

Ask: Do I complete all the mundane or difficult tasks in my day as if they were for Jesus? Is my performance the same when I am alone as when someone is watching me? Is my mindset the same?

Pause and Pray

Creator God, thank you for your great work of restoration. Where we distort your plan for the world, your Son redeems. Help me to focus on and obey him above all. I reread the words from Ephesians and seek your message for me today.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. Ephesians 6:5-6

Ask: What word or phrase stands out to me in this passage? How is the Holy Spirit speaking to me today?

I approach God’s Word time and time again and he speaks to me in a fresh, relevant, and personal way. How does God want me to respond today?

Pause and Pray

Holy Lord God, I look beyond myself to the wider world where many men, women, and children are suffering at the hand of slavery. Bring them justice and dignity. By your Spirit, continue to restore the world you created. Help me to see my own circumstances in light of your Son, my Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Colossians 3:23-24

I leave this time of prayer with my mind set on Christ, seeking to serve him in everything I do today.

Amen