A workplace believer

Ephesians 6: 5-8

Most of you that are reading this Scripture will feel the need to change the word slave for the word employee.  I do agree that sometimes in my employment and yours we may have felt like slaves, but this Scripture addresses workers.   If you are in Christ, you have been adopted into the family of God and as a family member you are responsible for the family name.  Often work place believers give no thought to the fact that they are ambassadors of Christ in the work place.  Often the family member of Christ acts like all the others in the work place and it comes as a surprise to those outside the family, when it is reported that they are members of the family of God.

God knows us and He understands that we are easily taken captive by a world system and our lust to live independent of authority, so He has said, child when you are in the work place do these things.  Why, so that the family name will be a name of the highest respect, by those not yet in the family.  Ephesians 6:5-8, reads in this way but as you read change the word slave to your name.  Slaves, (Bob) 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 like slaves (employees) of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.  Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free.”

My pastor often preaches sermons on holy living, and from a child, long before I was part of Christ, my parents taught this truth,  “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:23-24)  I believe in the workplace we who are members of Christ, have done more harm to our family name than any other area of life.  Often we are men-pleasers and the apostle John said this; “for they loved praise from men more than praise from God.” (John 12:43) about such men.  I often chased the praises of men, and it is impossible to do that and honor your family name.  Often we workplace believers begin with a desire to obey Deuteronomy 6:5, and before we get our second cup of coffee, we are leaning on our own understanding.  The good news is we can always turn to our Father and agree with Him that we moved from being dependent to independence. 

Often we workplace members of Christ forget to be reverent to our Father and would be wise to recall the words of our Lord’s mother in Luke 1:50, “And his mercy is for those who fear him from generation to generation.”  The Psalmist tells us, “Who, then, is the man that fears the Lord?  He will instruct him in the way chosen for him.” (Psalm 25:12)  Is it not true, that our Father, who keeps all His promises, has told the members of the family this; “Worship the Lord you’re God, and his blessing will be on your food and water.  I will take away sickness from among you,” (Exodus 23:25) We as workplace members of the family, either want more than God has promised us, or we do not believe He will keep His promises.

As members of this awesome family, we should set our hearts on living for God, and the apostle Paul gives this insight in 2 Corinthians 5:15, “And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”  Our Father has promised us both rewards and an inheritance, as His children, and because we have been taken captive by the culture we look for instant gratification.  Moses gave us the right example: “He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasure of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.”  (Hebrews 11:26)  

As a member of the Family of Christ in the workplace, keep this as your goal; “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.” (1 Peter 1:3-5)

We are members of the first family, and as a part of this awesome family, should follow the example of Moses, you and I may have drop the ball, just like Moses did, but you are redeemable just like Moses, you can be the one to lead others in your workplace out of darkness into light.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice