A God Glorifying Home (Colossians 3:18-4:18)

To begin, I would like to start by asking the question: what thought comes to your mind when you hear the words “authority” and “submission”?

Well, I actually asked this question to my kids to see if what sort of thoughts come instantly to thier minds, whether positive or negative. The first answer I got was that they got negative conottations when they hear these words.

Well I am sure that if I were to ask that to many people, and even as you think of it, that you may think of neagativity, rather than it being something positive, right.

In today's world, “authority” has a negative connotation to it. Authority is often portrayed as something bad because of all the misuses of authroity that is often portrayed to us via the news and social media and so we have a lack of trust for it.

We are always hearing about those with responsibility misusing their positions, such as politicians, parents, teachers, priests, doctors, and the list goes on.

The world views authority very differently from believers. From a worldly perspective, those who in authority are greater than those in submission to them.

We sometimes get this image of domination and oppression, and those bing under authority as victims.

In todays time and culture when when we read Colossians 3:18-4:18 it is very easy for us to either dismiss it as something of the past and that the world has moved on or that this is no longer relevant to those living in the 21st century.

All this business about wives submitting to husbands, children obeying parents, slaves having masters, etc.

Sounds very outdated and not for today. Even questioning why is Paul teaching slaves to obey thier masters.

Does the Bible condone slavery, etc? Lots of questions from a few passages.

We can quite easily think these passages were written only for the “olden” days and how does that apply us living in these modern times, especially in terms of “authority and submission?”

My attempt and aim is to answer these questions and bring a biblical understanding of these passages in scripture and how we can apply it to our lives.

Before we go into this passage, it is also good for us to understand what a normal household looked like in the days that this letter was written.

A household back in the days when this letter was written looked very different to us what we see and experience today.

If we are to look at a standard household situation today, it might be made up of a family with around 2 or 3 children, or newly married couples living together etc.

In the ancient world, and some parts of the current world today it was common to have three or four generations sharing a home together.

They were large family groups also having various servants/ or in those days, called as slaves.

Notice, this pattern was not just for the rich but the Roman Empire relied heavily on slavery and life without slaves was inconcievable.

India is quite similar to this in many regards, where there are large family groups living in the one home, with servants or people who work for the family, Sometimes you have families that stay for generations. Of course, now it is all changing as the world become more globalised.

Paul was well aware of how the system worked because he lived in the midst of it and so that is the form he uses.

The difference is that he didn’t share the same pagan worldview, rather he is now showing the Christian perspective and how we can now see this negative perspective of authority and submission into something that is positive when we understand it from a Christ centered perspective. Amen!

We need to also look at the issue of slavery here. Some accuse Christianity of promoting slavery. But this is not the case and we ned to understand the slavery of the time is very different to the salvery in more recent times.

Slavery in the Greco-Roman times was not based on race or skin colour.

It was still not pleasent to be a slave since they had no rights especially when they did not have very good masters.

Slavery in those days occupied a wide variety of positions, some slaves were teachers, doctors, business mabagers, and some approxamating a third of the populatopn in the city of rome to be slaves.

It was an integral part of the eonomy and livelihood in the Roman empire.

Still, we see that Paul never endorses the instituion of slavery nor does any of the other NT writers to own or buy slaves.

Instead Paul says that slaves should try gain freedom if they can (1 Corinthians 7:21 “Were you a slave when you were called? Don’t let it trouble you—although if you can gain your freedom, do so.” ) i

In-fact slave traders are listed for those who are under judgment in 1 Timothy 1:9–11 “We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.”

Colossians 3:1 undermines the institution of slavery and instead shows that all people are equal recipients of salvation and Christ is all and is in all.

The fact is that for both masters and slaves, Christ is Lord, so really even masters are slaves to Christ. Amen!!

We are all one family. Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” We are all one in Christ, male, female, slave, free, Jew and Gentile. We are all equal.

Now we come to the section of Colossians, where we are meant to represent Christ in our family, and to glorify God through our interaction with one another in the family. Praise God!!

Colossians 3:18–25;4:1 “Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, 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. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism. Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.”

So, What does biblical authority and submission look like?

To understand these passages we need to have a clear understanding of what biblical authority and submission really looks like.

As Christians, I believe we must understand authority from a biblical perspective and that leads to a God glorifying life, and one that can be so impactful within our family, church, workplaces, and anywhere else we go.

When we read these passages in the 21st century, all of this seems to be very counter cultural.

Looking back 50 or 60 years, we see a gradual breakdown that had existed historically over many known societies and that was the authroity of parents over children, teachers over their students, elders over the young.

In one article I read, said we are in the “century of the child”, meaning it is a push to free young people and children seeing them as an oppressed class, from authroity in their lives, whether it be parents or teachers etc.

We see this across the board in many different areas in todays world, whether it be in the home or in your workplace, in politics, etc.

Well as believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, He is our ultimate authority, and thankfully, He has given us His word to guide us in this ever changing world in a manner that would honor and glorify God and be an example to everyone around us.

When we look at the view point from scripture it is very different and instead quite a beautiful thing revealing the awesome God we worship. Amen!

In scripture, we have “equality with authority.” In other words, those who are in authority and those who obey or in submission are all equal.

How does this work? Well, because in scripture, the one in authority serves those in submission, where equal people are are to express loving authority and willing submission. Amen!!

At the end of the day, God is our ultimate authortity and we ae all under Him. Whenerever someones abuses the power of thier authority, we must understand that “authority itself is not the problem,” rather its the problem of sin in our lives and a sinful heart.

Now that we know that authority itself is not a bad thing. Let us briefly look at what scriptures show what biblical authority and submission looks like by looking at Jesus Christ Himself and then go to the passages in Colossians which will then bring a lot clearere and beatiful understanding of what is required of beleievers in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us begin by looking at How Jesus dealt with authority perfectly without the problem of sin in His life.

In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus willingly sumitted to the authority of His Father (Mark 14:36 ““Abba, Father,” he said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.”” )

In a greater show of submission, Jesus willingly submitted to the authority of the Jewish leaders who arrested Him. This was in line with doing the Father’s will. Amen.

This was so that we could have salvation and to please the one who had the ultimate authority and to obey the will of His Father (1 Peter 2:23–24 “When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. “He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”” )

The truth of the matter is that Christ could have called on His army of angels, instead He willingly chose to submit to authority.

On the other hand, how does Jesus excercise auithority. It was totally countercultural for that time, and even today. Jesus taught that those who are in authority are to actually serve. Something that is totally opposite to what authority looks like in the world. Instead it is giving yourself for the benefit of someone else.

Jesus taught the disciples what this authority looks like in Mark 10:42–45“Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.””

Not only did he says what this looks like, but he put it into action where Jesus shows his disciples the sacrificial use of authority by washing His disciples feet. We see in John 13:3 (“Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God;” ) that Jesus has absolute authority, and now he is washing his disciples feet. Amen!!

Finally we see authority even within the Trinity itself. There is equality with authority where Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are all equally God but at the same time we see an order of authority. The Father sends the Son (John 3:16), The Son obeys the Father (Mark 14:36), The Father and Son give the Holy Spirit (John 14:16, 16:7). The Spirit glorifies the Father and the Son (John 16:14).

The Father is in authority over the Son and the Spirit, and the Son is in authority over the Spirit.

Illustration

When Christian Herter was governor of Massachusetts, he was running hard for a second term in office. One day, after a busy morning chasing votes (and no lunch) he arrived at a church barbecue. It was late afternoon and Herter was famished.

As Herter moved down the serving line, he held out his plate to the woman serving chicken. She put a piece on his plate and turned to the next person in line.

“Excuse me,” Governor Herter said, “do you mind if I have another piece of chicken?”

“Sorry,” the woman told him. “I’m supposed to give one piece of chicken to each person.”

“But I’m starved,” the governor said.

“Sorry,” the woman said again. “Only one to a customer.”

Governor Herter was a modest and unassuming man, but he decided that this time he would throw a little weight around.

“Do you know who I am?” he said. “I am the governor of this state.”

“Do you know who I am?” the woman said. “I’m the lady in charge of the chicken. Move along, mister.” Bits & Pieces, May 28, 1992, Page 5-6

The point is that all of us will have an authroity figure over us and we have to be in submission, and at other times we will be the one in authority and have others in submission to us. The key in all of this is to understand how we are to serve in all of these positions and at the end of the days, it is all “for the LORD.”

In light of this description of authority and submission, now let us looks at how this is played out in the family, especially if we are to follow the example of Jesus Christ our Lord, who also Had to be under authority, and also who was the one in authroity. Amen! Wives submit yourselves to your husbands Colossians 3:18 “Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.”

Notice here, that the wives are being addressed, and not to husbands to make thier wives submit.

It is an action to be taken by the wife. The word “submit” means to recognise the leadership and authority of another.

Nowhere does it command husbands to make thier wives submit. This is where a lot of the misuse and distrust of authority and submission comes from.

This submission is to be done “as is fitting to the Lord”.

“What that means is then to do what is appropriate for someone who belongs to the Lord.

For someone who has put on the new self, and for one who has set thier minds on things above. It is to reflect being a follower of Jesus Christ.

Husbands love your wives Colossians 3:19 “Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.”

In ancient households' codes, often when husbands are addressed it is usually with an emphasis that they rule over thier wife and children. What we see here different from what Paul is teaching, is for husbands to love thier wives. You see the husbands love for thier wife is to model is to display and model God’s love for us in Christ

Ephesians 5:25–33 “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. After all, no one ever hated their own body, but they feed and care for their body, just as Christ does the church—for we are members of his body. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.”

Husbands are also commanded not to be harsh with thier wives. The word used here for “harsh” or “bitter” or “embittered” as used in some translations.

The term really means to have an internal bitter resentment or bitter hatred towards someone. What does this hatred look like? Well we can get an idea from earlier in the chapter in Col. 3:8-9, teaching us that we are to rid ourselves of anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language, lies, and take off the old self with all its practices. Amne!!

Chilren are to obey parents Colossians 3:20 “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.”

We just finished the part where husbands and wives were addresses individually and thier reciprocal behavioru to one another.

Now the children are to treat both parents as thier authority and are to oeby them in equal stead.

You see, the children are to obey both parents.

So it is the responsibility of both parents for godly order in the house and to bring lovign christian atmosphere into the home. Amen.

Why, becaue when both parents do this, and children obey, then it is pleasing to the Lord,

Fathers are not to provoke children Colossians 3:21“Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.”

Again, we see the word “bitter” here or to provoke your children.

In other words, not to irritate, aggravate, or exasperate, rouse to anger or  to fight,  them.

What it really is getting at is not to discourage your children.

When you act in a way that is belittling, berating, or an overbearing emphasis on obedience then they can get resentful.

When they get discouraged then they

Slaves to masters Colossians 3:22–25 “Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, 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. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.”

Paul, is now talking to slaves, who have earthly masters over them and he is asking them to obey them in everything, and he provides a number of qualifications to do so.

Firstly, obet them not only when they are watching you to gain thier favor falsely, or to put on as though you are a hard worker when you are really not, but you are to do it with sincerity. In other words it is to have genuine and sincere service.

Just like in your workplace. Now I know, this is far different from that of a slave to a master, but I believe we can apply the same principles here.

Secondly, whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as through working for the Lord and not for human masters. In all of this service, it is to be done ultimately because you are service the Lord.

In this world they may not receive the benefits of thier hard work, but ultimately they receive an inheritance as a reward from the Lord, becuase it is Him they are service.

Usually slaves have no rights of inheritance, unless the master decides to set them free. Those who were born in slavery usually died in slavery and this promise of an inheritance is an amazing news to them.

And if you do wrong you will be repaid for it.

What does this mean for you and I. We are not slaves to anyone but Christ. The question then becomes how are we serving the Lord Jesus Christ.

As it says in Colossians are we just speaking with our mouths and making a show outside when people are looking, or when our master is looking. But deep in our hearts there is no sincertiy?

How are we behaving to those in our family, in our workplaces, in our church family, amongst our friends, etc.

We are to know that our master always sees us. We are a bond servant of Christ. Amen!!

Masters to slaves

Colossians 4:1 “Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.”

Now to masters. Masters are to provide to slaves what is right and fair, WHY, becuse we also have a Master in heaven. Our standard is the one of Christ and not of the world. He is the ultimate judge of all things, and we ought to act in the fear of the Lord. Amen.

So in all of these, as the Christian following loving authority and willful submission we do all of these things for the Lord. It is not for ourselves, to look good in front of others or anything else. But we do it for the glory of God to the true Master over all things. That is why when each of these instructions are given it finishes by saying that it is for the Lord.

As is fitting to the lord (18)

For this pleases the Lord (20)

Reverence for the Lord (22)

As working for the Lord (23)

You will receive an inheritance from the Lord (24)

It is the Lord Christ you are serving  (24)

You also have a Master in heaven (4:1).

So as we finish, I encourage you to see that loving authority and willful submission seen now from this biblical and Godly perspective provides a more positive outlook, and one that we can follow in the houshold of a believer, for the glory of God. That wives are to honor and submit biblically to your husbands, husbands to love your wife as you love yourself, parents to teach your childrens, and for children to be obedient to your parents. For us who are bond servants of Christ to do all things, whether in our workplaces, family or anywhere else to do all things in word and deed for the glory of God. For Christ is our true Master and King, and we will all have to give an account to Him. Amen!

Paul then gives further instructions to Colossians church encouraging them to be steadfast in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving, praying for the word of the Lord to be effective in peoples lives, that we are to walk in wisdom toward outsiders making the best use of our time. Allowing our speech to be gracious seasoned with salted so that we may know how we ought to answer each person. Amen!

It is such a beautiful picture of the beliver. Not only in our individual self to be transformed, but within our own homes, amongst our families, children , wife, friends, those who work for us, and under whom we serve, to outsiders and to all, that we are transformed people putting on full display the love of Christ as we serve, as we lead, as we submit, as we obey, all for Christ who is our Master. Amen.

Sources

http://equalbutdifferent.org/articles/equality-with-an-order-of-authority