NO BIBLE NO BREAKFAST DAILY BIBLE REFLECTIONS AND MORE

TURNING THE WORLD UPSIDE-DOWN (COLOSSIANS 3:18-4:1)

REFLECTION

Turning the world upside down is the theme for our reflection. The phrase “turning the world upside down” means God’s actions can be revolutionary or radically depart from the standards and norms of the world. Becoming a Christian means practising values or standards that may turn the world upside-down or radically depart from the standards or values of the world. We shall reflect on the fact that our actions as Christians can transform or turn the world upside-down if we consider ourselves as servants of the Lord in our dealings with one another and in everything we do. In other words, we must obey and reflect the perfect image of Christ in our relationships as Christian husbands, wives, children, workers (slaves/servants) and bosses.

Firstly, to transform the world as Christians, our actions should be borne out of our relationship with Christ as spouses. We must be subservient to Christ in our dealings with each other as Christian spouses. In other words, we must obey and reflect the perfect image of Christ in our relationships as Christian husbands and wives. In a society where women have access to the same education and equal opportunities as men, the temptation for wives to take for granted the leadership of their husbands in marriage is high. It is for this reason Paul admonished Christian wives that irrespective of their social status or class, “Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.” (Colossians 3:18) In other words, “Wives, submit yourselves to your own husbands as you do to the Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.” (Ephesians 5:22-24) A Christian woman may be the President of a Nation or the Chief Executive of a company but in her home and marriage, she must submit to the leadership of her husband as a Christian value. To be submissive means to have a humble disposition in your dealing with your husband. A Christian wife must be ready to listen and cooperate with one’s husband in nurturing the marriage relation with Biblical values and also mutually nurturing the children in the way of the Lord. A Christian wife must not disrespect her husband or habitually give counter instructions to the children. This attitude will encourage the children to disrespect their father. On the other hand, Christian husband must not take for granted the submissiveness of their wives. Paul wrote, “Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. (Colossians 3:19) Again in Ephesians he wrote “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church— 30 for we are members of his body.” (Ephesians 5:25-30) In other words, the husband must sacrifice himself for his wife and treat his wife as part of his own body. Indeed Christian marriage must bring joy and fulfilment to both spouses and not pain and regrets as being experienced in some marriages. In summary, Paul says, that a Christian husband and wife must “Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ…each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.” (Ephesians 5:21,33)

Secondly, in a world where the state is gradually taking away the parental right to discipline children and nurture them in a manner that will make them morally upright and responsible citizens, the temptation of children, especially, adolescent and adult children, 18 years and above to disrespect or dishonour their parents is high. Christian children are being admonished to “obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” (Colossians 3:20). Paul again reminds us in Ephesians 6:1-3 “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother”—which is the first commandment with a promise— 3 “so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.” As Christian children, we must continually listen to the advice of our parents and honour them even in their old age. We must not raise our voices or insult our parents. We must have time to visit and spend time with them in their old age. We must take care of our parents just as they took care of us when we were vulnerable. In the Laws of the Israelites, respecting one’s parents was so serious that “Anyone who attacks their father or mother is to be put to death.” (Exodus 21:15) Also, “‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.” (Leviticus 20:9) On the other hand, parents must be moderate in handling their children. If is for this reason Paul wrote “Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.” (Colossians 3:21) In other words, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” (Ephesians 6:4) Christian parents must desist from verbally, emotionally and physically abusing their children in the name of parental discipline. We must nurture our children in love and Christian discipline.

Thirdly, since we no longer have slavery in operation in our world, we shall treat this point as an employer-employee relationship. Christian employees must work with honesty and integrity at their workplaces. Businesses are retrogressing because in some instances employees are not giving their best. As Christian employees, we are admonished 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. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favouritism. (Colossians 3:22-25) Again, Paul reminds Christian workers, “…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. 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do” (Ephesians 6:5-8) In other words, we must be good stewards at our various places of work, giving our best to please the Lord. We are assured of both the earthly and eternal rewards. On the other hand, Christian employers or bosses but be fair in their dealings with their employees. “Masters, provide your slaves (workers) with what is right and fair because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.” (Colossians 4:1) Similarly, Paul admonished, employers “Masters, treat your slaves (workers) 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 6:9). The Christian principles of labour relations are honesty, stewardship, integrity and fairness.

In summary, we have discovered that our actions as Christians can radically transform or turn the world upside-down if we consider ourselves as servants of the Lord in our dealings with one another and in everything we do.

PRAYER

May the Holy Spirit continue to empower us to turn the world upside-down through our actions and dealings as Christians. Amen.