“Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ.” Ephesians 6:5
In America, slavery has been done away with, but around the world there are still places that allow it. Slavery is nearly always looked at as cruel and unjust treatment of a person. Although this was very commonly the case, there were people in America who treated their slaves with great care and love. In the Bible, Joseph was a slave to the Egyptians. He was treated with great respect and love, and this was by a group who did not believe in God.
Today, a common type of “slavery” is in the workplace. People are enslaved to their work. Many people do not really like their work, but must do it in order to provide for their families or needs. In this case the boss is the master and the worker is the slave.
Paul is stating that the slave must obey the master just as if the master was Jesus.
One of the ways described is with sincerity of heart. Many people obey, just to not get in trouble, or just when the master is around. This is not in sincerity. Sincerity is doing the right thing all the time. It is not doing things just to stay out of trouble, but because it is the right thing to do.
How a person works for a master here on this earth, is a good indication of how they serve their master in heaven–God.
If you cannot honestly serve your boss that you can see, how will you serve God who you cannot see?
Whether or not your boss is a Christian has nothing to do with you serving him as though serving Jesus. As long as the boss does not ask you to do something against God, you must do it as though Jesus told you to do it. Do not cut corners or cheat your boss.
Be the good slave to the ones in authority over you here on this earth. This will make you a good slave to Jesus. It will be worth it in the end.
I pray today that God will help you serve those over you; that you will obey your boss as though obeying Jesus; that you will have sincerity in your obedience; and that God will draw many to Jesus through your actions.
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Thank you. Give God the glory. May you know the Lord Jesus more and more.