Daily Reflections on Col. 3:18-4:6 (A Key to Healthy Relationships)

We have encouraged our church to read through the Bible in a year and have prepared little booklets for them to help them keep track of their progress and record their thoughts and insights. In fact, part of the purpose of this devotional blog is help them them with their reading. This morning my wife came in early and woke me telling me that I needed to be sure do today's reading because it tells me to love my wife. I haven't called her at work yet to tell her that it also tells her to submit to her husband, a part that she obviously omitted to mention.

Actually, this text goes on to talk about several relationships such as parent/child and slave/master (employee/employer). In his discussion on these relationships, Paul talks about whatever we do, work at with all our heart as working for the Lord. He goes on to say that it is actually the Lord Christ we are serving. The context would imply that employees/slaves should work with a sincere and reverent heart toward the Lord in doing their job.

Yet, in the total context of this passage there appears to be more here in intent. A few verses later when he is talking about dealing with non-Christians, he says to let your conversation always be full of grace, seasoned with salt. He is talking about how we treat one another. Submitting, loving, obeying, not embittering, working, providing, speaking are attitudinal issue. It's not about self. It's about others. Relationships thrive and are healthiest when there is mutual trust and respect. But that has to start with me. I have to have a sincere, caring, respectful heart toward others including my wife, my kids, my parents, my boss, my employees, my neighbors, my co-workers, even strangers.

Bottom line is that I should treat others as if I was treating, serving Christ. That mean wives submit to/serve their husbands like they are serving Christ. Husbands are to love their wives like they are loving Christ. Children are to obey their parents like they were obeying Christ. Parents are to raise their children as they would Christ. Employees are to work for their bosses like they are working for Christ. Bosses should supervise their employees like they were supervising Christ. Sounds weird and almost awkward, yet that's what in fact we are doing.

God, help me remember to love and serve my wife and children and parents like I would you.