FAITHFUL RELATIONSHIPS COME FROM FAITHFUL FOLLOWERS/DISCIPLES

Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.  Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.  Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.  Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.  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. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism. —Colossians 3:18-25

             When families and those working for others are doing so” as working for the Lord, not for human masters,” then society would run so much smoother.  Faithful followers of Jesus are to be examples of—

• Wives submitting themselves to their husbands, as is fitting in the Lord
• Husbands loving their wives and not being harsh to them
• Children obeying their parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord
• Fathers not embittering their children, or discouraging them
• Slaves (employees), obeying their earthly masters (employers) in everything; and doing so not only when their eye is on them and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.

Unfortunately, those who claim the Name of Jesus too often have marriages and families that are far from being the example.  This can be boiled down to pride, selfishness, sin and an unwillingness to follow our Lord’s Word when it comes to relationships.  It should be all about Him and His desires and not me and my desires.  He is to come first and He has told us that “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them.”  So, what does it mean when I do not obey Him in these relational areas?  First, it is a lack of love for our Lord!  Second, “If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them” (James 4:17).  Wow… no wonder our society is unhealthy and also many who claim His Name.  It is because of lack of love for our Lord and sinful selfishness.

             So, brother and sister, fellow followers/disciples of Jesus, today and for the rest of our lives, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.”  Yes, may we do so because we will give an account to Him one day.  So may we love Him and live for Him according to His desire.  Yes, Dear Father, may this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Son Jesus.  Oh, may this be so!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Fhv4arL3yk&list=RD4Fhv4arL3yk&start_radio=1