5 Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ;
6 not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
7 with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men,
8 knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.
9 And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also[b] is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.
Like every other rule laid down by the almighty, this has been misquoted and distorted by our arch-enemy in the heart of man
This passage has caused over time and in several ways so much controversy, confusion and in so many cases even anger…At the Bible!
Various Bible commentators described the issue in Ephesians 6:5-9 as the situation in the days of old where servants were generally slaves and these two words were interchangeably used.
Some people have used this passage to excuse slavery and the trade in human beings, in so doing supporting the deprivation of a people of their heavenly destined FREEDOM AND LIBERTY to think and to make life’s choices for generations.
Slavery and success in the trade through the years has been linked to and is said to have its roots in the influence and the spread of Christianity according to those who need an excuse to support atheistic/agnostic beliefs or even the fervent dislike for this particular religion in support of others (unfortunately the thoroughly wicked acts and attitudes of some so-called Christians has fuelled this fire over time).
Ephesian 6:5-9 and other Bible passages have been quoted over and over again to say that there is nothing wrong with annexing other nations and enslaving its people, SOME MUST BE MASTERS AND SOME MUST BE THE SLAVES!
“Obedience to MASTERS with fear and trembling-----with great humility and respect (The duty of servants is summed up in one word, obedience), with readiness and cheerfulness, without hypocrisy and with all integrity and faithfulness: as unto Christ ; with reverence and giving honour to them, submitting to their reproofs and corrections but with fear of God in singleness of heart”
Servants were implored to reverence those over them, with fear and trembling — A proverbial expression, implying utmost care and diligence.
They are to be sincere; not pretending, obedient when it makes human sense to disobey, serving faithfully and they must serve their masters not only when their master's eye is upon them; but must also be strict in the discharge of their duty, when he is absent and out of the way.
Steady regard to the Lord Jesus Christ will make men faithful and sincere in every station, not grudgingly, but from a principle of love to the masters and their concerns.
This makes service easy to them, pleasing to their masters and acceptable to the Lord.
Masters (Or bosses) are implored to act after the same manner as the servant/employee.
Be just to servants, as you expect they should be to you; show good-will and concern for them, and be careful herein to approve yourselves to God. Be not tyrannical and overbearing. God will reward even the meanness and skull drudgery done by a wicked master and of course definitely the good done also.
Master and servant have a more superior Master to obey, both are but fellow-servants in respect to Christ Jesus (Apostle Paul referred to himself often as a slave and servant of Christ Jesus).
Masters (Bosses) and servants (Employees/subordinate) should consider their duties to God, and the account they must shortly give to him.
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If you died today, are you absolutely certain that you would go to heaven? You can be! TRUST JESUS NOW
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