5 Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, 6 not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, 7 rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, 8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. 9 Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.
– Ephesians 6:5-9 (ESV)
It was a dark, fall night and I was driving for what seemed like ages down a gravel road in the middle of no-where central Pennsylvania. A light rain was falling and a heavy fog blurred my headlights. The GPS said to keep going, but I was lost as I looked for the Airbnb that a large group of extended family was renting for our nephew’s wedding. The all knowing GPS voice said I had “arrived” but leaning forward in my seat and squinting my eyes all I could make out were some dim lights between two very haunted looking buildings. Disoriented and with “this is the best setup of a chainsaw massacre” mentality, I didn’t want to be there, let alone have to put on a brave face in front of my kids and walk up to the door. Everything about the situation had me off-center.
We all laugh about it now. The GPS was correct. The old house was restored beautifully. The family fellowship is a great memory. The light of day removed all the disorienting fears.
Sometimes we get to a part of Scripture that makes us feel the way I did that night: disoriented, confused, a little afraid, and mistrusting of the GPS. This week’s text is one of those. The instructions to slaves and masters initially doesn’t feel right. Why the Apostle Paul instructs slaves and masters how to act instead of cancelling the whole idea in a fit of rage at first doesn’t pass the smell test. However, once the light hits the pages of this passage, the fears about trusting God’s Word, the beauty of what it accomplishes, and the security of trusting God is found in Christ-centered living.
We are Called to Christ Centeredness in Ephesians 6:5-9. Take some time to read it and begin to think of how being centered in Christ impacts every part of our lives.
Can’t wait to unpack God’s Word with you tomorrow! Here is the worship set to help you prepare your heart for then.
Love you Church,
Nate Newell
Pastor of Ministry & Mission Development