That is the message of Ephesians, that we are not separated but all together as the united family of God. Whatever our position on earth, God has raised us with Christ to a glorious new position.32
[God] raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus (Ephesians 2:6). M
That new heavenly status is true for each person in Christ, regardless of gender, nationality or social standing.33 Yet at the earthly level, each individual is still a male or a female with parts to play in some family and nation. He or she should still fulfill those worthy roles and fulfill the duties of a good citizen.
The great change is this: The heavenly has touched the earthly and made it sacred! Thus every Christian sits at heaven’s council with Christ34 as a true priest35 of God. Every duty, even the lowliest, becomes sacred service for the glory of God. God receives it through Christ, so that it proves completely acceptable and receives the full reward of grace. These great heavenly truths motivate us and energize us as nothing on earth can do.
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ (Colossians 3:23-24). M
CHRIST IN YOU MAKES YOU ALL EQUAL… AND ALL SERVANTS!
32. Ephesians 2:11-22; 3:6; 4:4-6
33. 1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:28
35. 1 Peter 2:5,9; Revelation 1:6
Research Subjects
- Full obedience
- Not distracted
- Humble then exalted
- Jesus pleased His Father
- Pleasing God
- Bribery
Loving Jesus means submitting to Him as “Lord of all.” Jesus Himself gives us the example of submission by His careful obedience to the Father’s will. In Christ, we are to submit to the government and to those who have authority over us, such as employers and teachers. We are all equal in Christ. But spiritual equality does not remove the fact that we serve in different duties and positions here on earth. Scriptural submission (which is not unscriptural subservience) in earthly roles expresses our love and service to God. He is our true Master. He holds our eternal reward. He motivates us to fulfill our earthly duties wholeheartedly.
Memory Verses
- 1 John 5:2 – By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments.
- John 4:34 – Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.
- John 14:31 – … but I do as the Father has commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Rise, let us go from here.
- 1 Peter 4:11 – …whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God.
- 2 Corinthians 5:9 – …we make it our aim to please him.
- Colossians 3:25 – For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality.
- Colossians 3:11 – Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.
- Ephesians 2:6 – [God] raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
- Colossians 3:23-24 – Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.
King of kings, I submit myself to You. You are worthy of all my praise and my absolute obedience. Please teach me here on earth how to submit to others as You want me to. Whether my job is interesting or not, help me to do my work for You, first and foremost. May my hard work and my caring attitudes glorify You as I fulfill my earthly roles…