Colossians 3:18-4:1

We spend the majority of our time at home or at work, so it is those two places where our discipleship is lived out more than anywhere else.
If we can not live as fully devoted followers at home or at work, we won’t be able to do it at church or on the mission field. If we can not be fully devoted around people who know and support us, how can we do in a hostile world?

Background
In order to properly understand this passage there are a couple of things you need to know about the culture to which Paul was writing.

1. Roman fathers had absolute authority in the home. He had control of every aspect of live for his wife, children and slaves – in fact they all had about the same status. Wives were valued for their ability to bear children, and handle the domestic chores. Children were valued for their contributions to the family’s livelihood. The father determined who lived and died, who they married and whether they married. He exerted tremendous control even over adult sons. The normal father ruled with a iron fist.
Slaves were little more than living tools, livestock to be used or disposed of as the master saw fit

2. Christianity as a foreign religion was under a great deal of suspicion. What the historian Tacitus said about Jews was also believed about Christians:

…the earliest lessons they receive is to despise the gods, disown their country and to regard their parents, children and brothers of little account.

In this household code Paul seeks to affirm what he can from Roman culture and transform as much as he could. The important thing to remember is that Paul is trying to show that when we are devoted to Christ, that devotion changes the quality and character of all our relationships.
Paul even does the unthinkable Normally only husbands father and master are addressed in household codes, in these verses, however, he addresses the”weaker” first and assumes they can make moral choices, that was unheard of. Then he addresses the husbands, fathers and masters.

I. Wives and Husbands

The issue is not who gets to dominated whom.

  • Paul tells Roman husband and wives how to live out their devotion to Christ in their culture without giving offense to the gospel.
  • For us it means that Husbands and wives are to first of all submit themselves to Christ and then carry out their responsibilities to each other in the Lord
  • Husbands are not to dominate and lord it over their wives
  • Wives are not supposed to do that either. Wives should not seek to subtle manipulate and undercut their husband’s place in the home.
  • In fact husband are to cultivate Christian virtues in their relationship with each other.

What are these virtues?

[Col 3:12-14 ESV ] Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

The fundamental presumption is that the family is the primary place where Christian virtues are lives out.

II. Children and Parents
Children
Christian children have an obligation to obey their parents, in the Lord.
As long as parents are not asking them to do anything immoral or sinful they are to comply.

Fathers / Parents
In Paul’s day fathers had absolute control over their children and determined whether they lived or died. The normal pattern was to maintain strict discipline so that the children would not get out of line. That disciple sometimes included severe beatings.
Paul answers the question, “How should a father submitted to Christ treat his children?”
Paul’s answer is simple what ever you do be careful not to provoke or irritate them to the point of discouragement to be disheartened, dispirited, broken in spirit, and lose heart. That is not proper behavior for a Christian parent.

III. Employees and Employers
Now, contrary to what you may think there is not a direct correspondence between masters and slaves and employers and employees. But we can gain some important perspectives.

Employees

  • Work diligently as if you were working for the Lord and do it whether or not your boss is a Christian
  • Put your heart in it and give it your best. As a Christian you should be the most punctual, reliable and responsible person in the place

Employers

  • Treat people fairly, expect people to give their best, and your give your best as well.
  • Care about those who work for you

Conclusion
In reality this series has been about living as a Christian, a person fully devoted to Christ.
I received an email two weeks ago I want to share with you, because this person gets it.

I want to challenge you today to live as a fully devoted follower of Christ Husbands and wives, parents and children, employers and employees.

Work on developing these virtues in all your relationships: Compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, patience, forbearance, forgiveness and love.
In reality you can not develop these on your own…you must depend on the Holy Spirit, and you must yield to him.

And then determine today to become fully devoted
Worship God, Share your faith, Grow in Christ, Serve others, Give of your resources, Connect with other Christian and live your faith at home and work.