5/17/25 The Divine Method II

Last week the examination of Colossians Ch. 3 continued. Paul looked into the divine method of spiritual authority through the institution of the family. We discovered that all success derives from mutual submission to serve one another in love. This success is based on spiritual authority tied to the Christ. Now we go into an institution that has become contentious, and in some instances crushing. It is an environment where authority can be exploited and great divide can occur. Those under the authority often times are there out of necessity and in many cases the environments are high pressured and the threat of being replaced is common. This is a place of stress, of a method that tends to operate outside of God’s will bent on conquest, love of money and does not operate in love. This is called the workplace.

This week we continue in V22-4:1 Paul takes us to a place where we are required to go, to work for people sometimes we do not like or respect and participate in the corporate agenda. The corporate agenda is ruthless. It cares not about people. It cares about profits. It pushes production not peace. It values statistics. Now as we get into V22 we start with a controversial words in the US.

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.

Let’s cut through the misunderstanding of this word, slaves. GR word doulos meaning a servant which is both voluntary and involuntary. These people sold themselves to the Roman elites. Some were true slaves, but the word here doesn’t tell a full story and that word immediately brings visions of the narrative in American history that is discomforting. The call here is to obey, but notice how it is labeled, earthly masters. The proper word is GR word sarx, meaning flesh, as in a physical master from earth. This means that our understanding of this is relatable to the some of us who punch a clock in a vocation whether chosen out of passion or necessity. Your job is what is being addressed here and your relationship with those given charge over you.

The call is to obey in everything even in things unseen with a genuine effort whether you like it or not. This effort is not for the employer but as a sign for your gratitude to the Lord himself. Your attitude and effort tell more about your appreciation of the one who served you by doing the work he was called to do for the purpose of giving you blessings you do not deserve.

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.

Paul is saying that the work you do should be a work of dedication. Why? How can that be expected if you dislike your job? If you do not like the company or your boss? Because your focus is not that you are working for them, you are focusing on the Lord. Wy? Because here is where the controversial word comes in. The GR word douleuó this actually means slave. To be a devoted person in bondage. See how the translations can mess this up a bit? But look at what is coming inheritance. GR word : kléronomia derived from heirship. And look how it is phrased.  You know as in certainty. But what happens when things are bad. When the job is acting as they have become in the last 30+ years and care not for the employees.

²⁵ Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.

The equality that we all have in the Lord shows in how we are treated and how we treat people. There is numerous stories being told every day of mistreatment, bias and exploitation on the job. This does occur and you can see that since it is in the Bible it is not new. Do not worry the Lord addresses it here through the apostle Paul.

4 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

There is a higher authority to us all. The call is that we will answer how we treat those beneath us. Those above us will answer for how they treat us. There is no doubts in my mind. This is not karma bc karma is not a Christian concept. Our God does not need karma. He is the judge he is justice.

When you are called top a higher boss a higher level of commitment. Rise up because your God is calling you to recognize you represent Him not the corporate world! You are an ambassador of heaven not just an ambassador of a corporation. Last time I checked the Lord says he will provide through the riches and glory in Christ Jesus. Last I checked, the Lord works all things to good which means something will be bad to the good for those who are called to the purposes of God and love His Son. Which means you are family because your inheritance comes from being an heir, in this case in the bible a co-heir with Christ.

Not everything has to make sense. But when it does not keep your eyes open. Keep your mind open. Because God is working it out!