Word Live - Daily Scripture

Pray first

Who tells you what to do? ‘Dear Lord, guide me.’ Colossians 3:18 – 4:1 ‘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 3:18 – 4:1

Instructions for Christian Households  18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.     19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.     20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.     21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.     22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Those who do wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism. Colossians 4  1 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Main point

Happy families Paul earths his teaching about a Christ-centred life in the context of the home – the place of our closest (often most testing) relationships! In Paul’s day households included slaves too. Submission is not about dominant men and doormat women (3:18)! Paul believed in the equality of men and women in Christ but also observed that some women were tempted to be bossy, and some men, neglectful. If we are Christ-centred, then we are to clothe ourselves with Christ-centred virtues. Children have a new status in Christ with rights and responsibilities (3:20). Parents are given wise advice (3:21) – children who are encouraged are the children who ultimately thrive. Verse 22 speaks into every life experience. Whether it’s a difficult relationship with a parent or boyfriend, we are to graciously and reverently serve God. Even a trivial task can speak volumes when done in the right spirit with the right ‘grace’. Whatever your task, do it wholeheartedly because your reward is a heavenly one, not material (3:24). This is why even the Christian slave can be challenged about having no excuse for ‘shoddy’ work. Whatever role we find ourselves in, we are to live for the Lord, serving and living peacefully (in harmony) with others (4:1). Jackie Cray

Speak Lord

Think of some TV programmes that show family life, eg The Simpsons, My Family or Desperate Housewives. • What is true (even if painfully so!) about what is happening in family situations like those portrayed in these TV programmes? • What clues are there in these verses to what might make a difference in situations like these in your own family life?

Daily question

Have you considered how all your family and work relationships might need to change to reflect your faith in God?

Instructions for Christian households

These ‘household codes’ did not originate with Paul, but are quoted from the Greco-Roman culture of that day. Aristotle defined model relationships in the family, and saw them as hierarchical. The family was seen as a microcosm of society. If families were well structured, then, it was believed, society as a whole would be healthy. It was Aristotle who prescribed that women should obey their husbands.   The Romans were troubled by religions in the Empire that they thought could undermine traditional family values. It was important for Christians to demonstrate that they were not subverting a stable society. Paul’s instructions modify established social expectations to make them accord with the Lordship of Christ. He undermines the absolute authority of the human head of the household, replacing it with mutual responsibilities. The Christian family acknowledges Christ as the Head. Paul’s overarching principles are stated in 2:10 and Ephesians 5:21. We who live in different societies today need likewise to think through how to be good citizens in a secular society while honouring, first and foremost, Christ as Lord. What are the marks of a healthy family today? For more on ‘household codes’ see Craig Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament (IVP, 1993). Annabel Robinson

Workplace relationships and attitudes

As you read these verses on slaves bear in mind the different society we live in, just as you did with the ‘household codes’.  Slavery in the Greek and Roman world The slaves in a Greek or Roman household were in a totally different situation from the slaves of the American South, although they could be mistreated. • They had many rights. • They were not necessarily of a different ethnic origin from their masters. • They were often treated as members of the family, and enjoyed security and protection. • Some of them held responsible positions, such as tutors to their master’s children. In some ways their situation was similar to that of a live-in nanny, or an immigrant worker today.  Slavery was a ‘given’ in the ancient Mediterranean. The economy depended on them. There was never any suggestion that the institution ought to be abolished. Under the Roman Empire their situation gradually improved. The workplace today We can learn about workplace attitudes from these commands of Paul to slaves: • The work we do is not only for our boss or our company but also for God. • Christians should be known as good employees. • God will reward us for our work.   • Don’t cosy up to the boss. • It matters what we do when our boss is out of town. • Don’t worry about not getting the credit. Workplace injustices will ultimately be rectified by Christ. There are some significant differences, however, between slaves in antiquity and employees today.   • We now have labour standards, including health and safety. • Most workplaces make provision for grievances and appeals. Under what circumstances is it appropriate for a Christian to launch a grievance?  ‘The Elixir’ Teach me, my God and King, In all things Thee to see, And what I do in anything, To do it as for Thee. A man that looks on glass, On it may stay his eye, Or, if he pleaseth, through it pass, And then the heav'n espy. All may of Thee partake; Nothing can be so mean Which with this tincture (for Thy sake) Will not grow bright and clean. A servant with this clause Makes drudgery divine: Who sweeps a room as for Thy laws, Makes that and th' action fine. This is the famous stone That turneth all to gold; For that which God doth touch and own Cannot for less be told. George Herbert (1593–1633) Annabel Robinson

Work in the Bible

Some people peddle the idea that God is only interested in so-called ‘spiritual’ activities like prayer, singing worship songs and preaching. Don’t buy this. Jesus calls his followers to whole-life discipleship. Every aspect of our living is intended for the glory of God. This includes our work. Work has always been part of God’s good plan for human beings. • Genesis 2 says that God placed Adam in the Garden of Eden ‘to work it and take care of it’ (v 15). No mention of God being honoured by the worship or the preaching. Just God being glorified through Adam’s work. This shows that work is a divinely appointed activity from the start of time. • Abraham, Isaac and Jacob were not called away from being herders of sheep and cattle but followed God’s call and received God’s covenant in the fields and hillsides where they drove their flocks. • Jesus spent most of his working life as a carpenter, honouring the Father by his daily work. • And here in Colossians 3:23 it says our daily work is an opportunity to use our skill, creativity and effort to honour God: ‘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.’    Some people are uncomfortable with the references to masters and slaves here. Is the Bible condoning slavery? No, it’s speaking into the issues of society as it then was. The call in 4:1 for masters to provide slaves with ‘what is right and fair’ is ultimately fulfilled when slave-owners admit that freedom from being owned by another is the only thing that is truly ‘right and fair’ for their slaves. Insofar as human beings are still trafficked today, that call is as strong as ever. Martin Hodson

Series overview

This week’s theme is ‘Life with Christ’. We will explore this during the week by continuing to go through Colossians, before taking a look at Isaiah 45:15–25 and Psalm 24 at the weekend. Our contributors to WordLive this week: Marjory Austin learned to love the Bible through attending summer Faith Camps and trained as a Bible Teacher. She works full-time as a school secretary. Her hobbies include Scottish dancing and fell-walking. Martin Ayers Jon Birch is a freelance animator, designer, illustrator and music producer. He describes himself as ‘someone who makes a living out of what he used to do in the margins of his school books’. Jon is a co-founder and contributor of proost.co.uk, a site dedicated to providing creative resources for the church. Cornerhouse Productions are made up of husband and wife team, Andy and Wendy Green, who create our podcasts. Jackie Cray is President of the Scripture Union Council for England and Wales, and is also Priest in Charge of St Faith's in the Diocese of Canterbury. She is married to Graham, who is the Bishop of Maidstone. Martin Hodson is the Senior Minister of St Peter’s Baptist Church in Worcester. He has a longing for the local church to reach its God-given potential and is passionate about world mission. He also has a longing to go sailing and play more golf. Martin is married to Becky, a science teacher, and they have three boys who like to turn the dial up to 10 on their guitar amps. Annabel Robinson was Professor of Classics at the University of Regina in Canada. She has had a long time association with IVCF Canada. Now retired, she is married, with children and grandchildren in Calgary and Oslo. Jane Upchurch is a prize-winning poet, whose journey with God has included living in community as a member of the Findhorn Foundation, celebrating Jewish festivals with her family and exploring Celtic Christianity.

Group discussion

Want to talk about today’s passage? Share some thoughts about what you’ve read, seen or heard? Has it left you with further questions? Or do you disagree with what has been said? Head to the WordLive forums to join the discussion online, or check out the small group programme.

Topical thoughts: Who's in control?

Talk of a new cold war is in the air, following Russia’s actions in Georgia. Barack Obama has just been nominated as US presidential candidate with support from the party’s ‘big guns’. Robert Mugabe has been reinstalled as President of Zimbabwe despite doubts over the election process and the economic and political turmoil in the country. China has demonstrated its new economic muscle with the Olympics and is increasingly showing wider political influence. Many in the rich nations have seen the value of their savings and pensions slump through the lending policies of bankers thousands of miles away. Time, it would seem, to stick one’s head back under the duvet! So, what are we to make of Paul’s claim in Colossians 2:10 that Christ is ‘Head over every power and authority’? Of Vladimir Putin and George Bush? Of Robert Mugabe? Of Hu Jintao? Of the nameless bankers, financiers and speculators? Of industry bosses? It is hard to believe. But consider the world in which Paul wrote. Rome was the political power and repressed any dissent harshly and speedily. Few people had any control over their economic status. The cult of Emperor worship was growing. In such a situation Paul and his fellow Christians could say confidently ‘Jesus is Lord’ (and not Caesar). Dare we do the same in our day? John Grayston