“Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.” Ephesians 6:5-9 KJV (also see Colossians 3:22-25)
We are to be a servant of Christ in every situation. How we act and react is a direct reflection on how people perceive Christ and our relationship with Christ. If we give our employer disrespect we are providing a poor example of Christianity. If we are disrespectful to teachers or law enforcement officers, we are again showing a poor example of Christianity. As Christians, we cannot accept this behavior. We must think before we act or react so that we are always demonstrating Christ-like behavior. We can’t do this with perfection, the Lord knows I can’t, but we must try.
According to the Strong’s Concordance the word represented in the passage above as “Servents” is the Greek word doulos which means “slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency) -- bond(-man), servant.”[1] While this is referring to actual slaves or bondsmen that are owned or indentured to another person, it can also be extrapolated out to include employees, students, etc.
According to the Strong’s Concordance the word represented in the passage above as “Masters” is the Greek word kurios which is from kuros (supremacy); supreme in authority, i.e. (as noun) controller; by implication, Master (as a respectful title) -- God, Lord, master, Sir. [2] While referring to actual slave owners or a person in direct control of a bondservant, it can also be extrapolated out to include employers, teachers, supervisors, law enforcement and anyone else placed by God to supervise of our daily lives.
We should desire to be as Christ-like as possible and part of that is demonstrating our Christianity. It should not be done as “eyeservice” an outward appearance of Christ-like behavior, but without any true change in our heart. It should not be as “men pleasers” play-acting as if we are Christ-like but harboring ill will in secret. We should show genuine love, caring, obedience and service to all those that God puts in authority over us. In accordance with Romans 13:1, all those in authority over us are placed there by God.
Masters or those in authority are also supposed to follow the same formula: love God first and then love their neighbor as themselves, which would include their subordinates. Those in authority must try to be as Christ-like as possible too.
God is no respecter of person, in other words, he doesn’t care who you are, you still fall under obedience to scripture and His will. Scripture indicates that we should act and react as Christ-like as possible in every situation. If this formula from scripture is followed, you get mutual respect, honor, kindness and love regardless of your lot in life. Love our Lord and God, Jesus, first and love everyone else the way you would like to be loved. A love based on mutual respect, honor and kindness. Imagine what the world would be like!
Have a blessed day!
[1] Bible Hub. Strong’s Concordance 1401 doulos, accessed October 28, 2017, http://biblehub.com/strongs/greek/1401.htm
[2] Bible Hub. Strong’s Concordance 2962 kurios, accessed October 28, 2017, http://biblehub.com/strongs/greek/2962.htm