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DIFFERENT WORLDS (EPHESIANS 6:1-9) ADVENT REFLECTION

REFLECTION

“Different worlds” is the theme for our reflection. To be different means not the same as another or unlike in nature, form, or quality. World means the earthly state of human existence. Different worlds mean people are dissimilar by the state of their existence. The estate of existence is usually defined by their race, tribe, economic class, religion, gender, education and generation. In other words, although we are all human beings we experience the world differently based on some of the aforementioned factors. We shall reflect on the following facts

1. Regardless of the difference in our worlds, we must treat one another with respect and dignity
2. Regardless of the difference in our worlds, we belong to one Master or Lord who will judge all of us justly.

Firstly, we live in an unequal world, hence our state of existence in the world is different. In Paul’s time, some were born slaves and others were born free. Again, others become slaves and others remain free because of racial and economic conditions and privileges. However, as Christians, it is important to understand that regardless of the different worlds we belong to or regardless of the differences in our state of existence in the world, we must treat one another with respect and dignity. It is for this reason that Paul admonished the believers in Ephesus, some of whom were masters and slaves, “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favour when their eye is on you but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart…And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favouritism with him.” (Ephesians 6:5-6,9). In other words, although slaves and their masters belong to different worlds, for the sake of Christ, they are to genuinely treat one another with respect and dignity. A Master – slave relationship may no longer exist in most societies in the world since it has been abolished. However, other forms of different worlds exist. We still have different worlds that can be grouped into the categories of bosses and subordinates, rich and poor. We also have different worlds segregated into the upper class, middle class and lower class. Our society is made up of people in the aforementioned categories who interact with one another daily. These different categories of people make up the membership of churches. The fundamental question is, how do we believers who belong to different worlds treat one another? Do Christian bosses and members of the affluent class look down or harshly treat people of other lower classes? How do we treat our subordinates at work as bosses or employers? Do we ensure that they have good and dignifying conditions of service or employment contracts? Do we pay them for the work they do and ensure that are they well remunerated to live a dignified life even as they also ensure that our businesses succeed? We are greatly admonished by Paul when he wrote, “Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.” (Colossians 4:1) What about Christian subordinates and lower-class workers, do we also respect our bosses or employers and serve them to the best of our abilities? Are we hypocrites who pretend to be working when we are being watched but immediately, our bosses are not around, we do otherwise? Do we genuinely respect our bosses and care for the success of their business? We are also greatly admonished by Paul to “…obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favour, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” (Colossians 3:22-24) It is important to note that regardless of the different worlds we belong to, our faith or Christianity will remain questionable if we do not respect and treat one another with dignity. There may be differences in our state of existence in the world but “… in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26-28)

Secondly, regardless of our different worlds, we belong to one Master or Lord who will judge all of us justly. In everything we do and in our relationship with one another we fear the Lord and do His will because “… the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free…and there is no favouritism with him.” (Ephesians 6:8,9). No matter who we are, we must remain humbled by the Word of God and let the will of God prevail over our lives because “Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favouritism.” (Colossians 3:25) Some of us go to church to pray and worship God often yet our attitude towards others throughout the week is appalling. Some of us make money out of the toil and suffering of the poor. We underpay those who work for us and take advantage of their vulnerable condition. Again, some of us steal from our employers and in some instances, we have collapsed their businesses out of greed. We go to work late but close early. Some of us go to work and are unproductive the whole day, we are on our phones doing things unrelated to our business or duties at work. After doing all these forbidden activities, we dress up nicely and come to church on Sunday to worship the Lord. Beloved in the Lord, the Advent season, calls for sober reflection, repentance and regeneration, for Jesus has assured us that “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 7:21). Let us remember the story of Lazarus and the rich man in Luke 16:19-31 and always be reminded of the fact that we may belong to different worlds today but “…we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” (2 Corinthians 5:10) The message of the Advent season is, “Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done. 13 I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. (Revelation 22:12-13)

In summary, we have reflected on the theme ” Different worlds” We have discovered that regardless of the difference in our worlds or state of existence, we must treat one another with respect and dignity. Again, regardless of the different worlds we belong to, we belong to one Master or Lord who will judge all of us justly. Shalom.

PRAYER

Dear Lord, let Your will be done in our lives, regardless of the different worlds or state of affairs in our existence, let Your Spirit empower us to treat one another with love, respect and dignity. May we be found prepared regardless of our different worlds when Jesus returns for the second and final time. Amen.