Ephesians 6:1-9
Yesterday we looked at the husband-wife relationship (Ephesians 5:22-33). Today Paul sticks with relationships, but he expands to include parents and children and bosses and workers. So we've looked at three different categories of relationships. Interestingly though, it seems to me that there is quite a bit of overlap and similarity in Paul's message to the people involved.
So how does Paul's teaching here compare with what we saw in Ephesians 5:22-33? What is one thing you can apply (put into action) from this passage? Tami W.
**Just this morning I was explaining to my daughter that when she is upset or mad she can tell me, but yelling at me is unexceptable. Of course she took it litterally & said, "Yes I can". And I said, "No you cannot, God doesn't want you in charge of me. It just doesn't work that way". I then came up with the heirarchy argument. See I know what is best for you because God gives me this role & this information, you are the child so you in turn have to listen to me. But remember it all starts with God. And God loves us!
Serve wholehearted, as if you are serving the Lord, not men (verse 7). This verse alone goes a long way in how we are to live our lives. I remember the first time I really understood the meaning of those words.
I was making the bed and thinking to myself that how easy it would have been for my husband to do this and that I was a more thoughtful and caring person than he was, because I took the time to do it.
And God showed me that my heart was wrong. I am thankful for that. That was a long time ago and now I am not able to do anything without searching my heart to see what my real motive is—is it for man or God? What the condition of my heart is? And when I say that I apply this to everything I mean everything, studying God’s word, praying for others, giving to others, loving others, helping others, cooking dinner, scrubbing the toilet, et cetera. Is my gift the best I can give? Did I give 100%? Do I act the same when I am by myself as I do when others are watching me? I want to serve God with my whole heart and to do everything for the right reason. Doing all things with Love, because God loves me.
From my perspective they all overlap. Each worldly relationship is of course different. But these passages all point the the fact that regardless of what your worldly relationship is, the ultimate authority resides with God and becuase of this we should treat each other, be it husband and wife, boss and employee, parent and child with the respect and dignity regardless of which side of the relationship we are on.