Colossians #8 - All in the Family

Big Idea: The Bible instructs us regarding family relationships and operation as demonstrations of the outworking of godly character. 1. Mature, godly character produces submission and love in the wife/husband relationship. Colossians 3:18-19 a. “Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.” God designed wives to submit to and defer to their husbands. b. “Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.” God designed husbands to lovingly care for and provide for their wives without harshness. c. Each of you needs to ask yourself this question: Do I make it easy for my spouse to obey the command God gave them to do regarding me? 2. Mature, godly character produces obedience and safety in the child/parent relationship. Colossians 3:20-21 a. “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” Kids, you don’t know anything. And what you do know is partial at best and not informed by experience. Submit to your parents. b. “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.” Parents have a responsibility to guard against harsh reactions because that will drive a wedge between you and your children, and possibly between your children and the Lord. c. Again, Parents and kids need to ask: Do I make it easy for my parents/kids to obey the command God gave them to do regarding me? 3. Mature, godly character produces integrity and fairness in the employee/employer relationship. Colossians 3:22-4:1 a. “Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.” As an employee, do what your boss asks, and not just as a token effort. Act with integrity. b. “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” We treat our employment as if Jesus Christ were the boss of our job… because He is. All authority in heaven and earth is His. c. “Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.” The best environment a boss can provide is a non-combative one characterized by fairness. Questions for Reflection 1. For those who are married, are you obeying God’s commands about how you are to treat your spouse? 2. For parents and children, are you obeying God’s commands about how you treat each other? 3. For employers and employees, are you obeying God’s commands about how you treat each other?