Day 34. Good Slaves

Ephesians 6:5-8

Slaves, be obedient to those who are your ^[a]masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ; ⁶ not ^[b]by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the ^[c]heart. ⁷ With good will ^[d]render service, as to the Lord, and not to men, ⁸ knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.

Back in the first century Roman empire, slavery was a common practice. It was not completely the same as our understanding of slavery here in the United States though. People from any country or nationality could be slaves, and you could if desired even “sell” yourself or become a slave by choice. Many people who were slaves of influential men were very influential themselves and often represented their masters position or authority when doing business on his behalf. Slaves were still owned by another person though. They were dependent on the other person for food, shelter, clothing; every physical need really. This is why our life in Christ is considered a JOYFUL form of slavery. If we are Christians Jesus bought us (1 Cor 6:20), and He is our Master (John 13:13-15), so therefore we are His slaves (Eph 6:6). 
In our modern western culture, slavery is taboo and considered wrong. While the Bible does not condemn slavery, it does exult an ideal of equality of worth among people. However, total submission and obedience to a master isn’t a bad thing for us to grasp, but instead it is the type of relationship we ought to have to our Perfect, Good Master - Jesus Christ. 

Another application we can make regarding the passage in the United States and most other countries is our relationship to our employers or boss’s. We essentially sell our time, skills, and labors for money at a job. The main difference here and now is that we can technically quit at any time if we choose to while a slave cannot (at least not without being hunted down). Still, the application of Ephesians 6:5 fits pretty well in our modern context. Here’s a little contextual rewrite. You decide if it is true for us as it was for Paul’s original audience (Believers who were slaves in Ephesus). 

Employees, be obedient to those who are your boss’s according to the flesh…

As Christians we should be good employees. We should do what is asked of us. We shouldn’t be lazy, late, undependable, etc. Why? Because when we serve or work anywhere for any reason, we are still servants of the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul says we should act as “slaves of Christ” not “eye pleasers.” Basically, don’t just smooch your employer or try to impress Him when he’s around. Don't do well for the praise of other people. Do well when he is looking and do well when he is not, because this is pleasing to God, and we ought to obey God from our heart. God will reward us for being obedient to Him.