Putting Christ First: New Life in Practice
Colossians 3:18-4:1
Social Structures
- Paul’s focus here is show how our new identity in Christ is not meant to undo existing social structures
- But rather to transform us in them
- That being said: Read your own mail!
- Focus on what God is calling you to do
- Not on what others should be doing
Putting Christ First at Home (3:18-21)
- Wives are called to submit to their husbands
- Submit (hypotassō): Suggests a voluntary willingness to recognize and put oneself under the leadership of another
- It is to recognize a relationship of order established by God (v. 18b)
- But it is conditioned by the husband’s submission to God (see Eph. 5:22)
- Husbands are called to love their wives
- Like Christ loves His Church (see Eph. 5:23)
- “Do not be harsh”= Do not make them bitter, resentful
- This was counter-cultural
- Children are called to obey their parents
- Obey: follow their instructions
- Again, as long as it is not in contradiction with God’s truth
- This pleases God because it means we are living under His rule for our lives (see Eph. 6:1-3; Ex. 20:12)
- Fathers* are called to be encouraging to their children
- Not give rules for rules’ sake
- Not irritate or embitter
- Again, this was counter-cultural
Putting Christ First at Work (3:22-4:1)
- Bondservant ≠ slaves like in US history
- They were employees for a fixed period of time
- Who were often well compensated
- And were rarely forced into labor
- The modern equivalent would be employees
- Masters = employers/bosses
- Employees are called to obey their bosses
- Not just when they are looking
- Not to just get ahead
- But, by way of service to God
- The Lord is every Christian’s true Master
- Bosses are called to treat their employees well
- Not exploiting them
- Not making things unnecessarily hard on them
- Treating them like God treats you
- Because you both have the same Boss over you
What if they aren’t Christians?
- What if my spouse, or my children, or my boss, or my employer is not a Christian, am I required to still act this way?
- Yes, and even more so!
- Because your behavior to them is a testimony to the God you serve to them
- You are the Gospel they are reading!
So What?
- If we are new in Christ:
- How we treat our family should reflect that
- How we act at work should convey that
- Are you new in Jesus?
- Is our life showing that to those around us?
Meditation Verse: Col. 3:23