Colossians 3: 18 – 4: 6

February 4, 2023

18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.

19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.

20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord.

21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.

22 Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:

23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.

2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;

3 Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:

4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.

6 Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; This is an interesting verse. If you carry it out to it’s logical conclusion, following this verse not only improves your relationship with the Lord, but also improves your life and family and community.

There’s only the two of us in the house and we only eat one or two meals a day. Used silverware winds up in the kitchen sink. I hate washing silverware – don’t ask me why, it’s just one of those ‘charming’ things about me (ahem). But I can’t be bothered washing two or three pieces – because I hate washing silverware – so, day by day, there’s an accumulation (you know … like snow up north) of silverware in the sink. I hate that. I hate stuff stacked up in the sink. I like a clean counter and sink.

IF I would wash the silverware immediately after use, there’d be no silverware in the sink. IF I would wash them up as if I were going to present them to God, they’d be sparkling clean within mere minutes and I could hand them to God feeling good, knowing I had done that just for Him. Now substitute my silverware with all the things that gripe you and see if you can see how your life would improve in so many ways. Not only your life, but family and friends and coworkers and your employer and, and, and …

23 And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;