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Passage: Ephesians 6:5-7
Introduction
What do we mean when we say radical change? Radical change is an extreme change of nature as we depart from a mind that is govern by flesh to a mind that is govern by the spirit. A new nature taking over our sinful nature. A resurrection that allows our spirit to respond in the truth of the teaching of Jesus. It is vital for a person to undergo new birth as described by Jesus Christ with Nicodemus in John 3, to experience this radical change.A few topics ago we discussed about the gospel message which points us to Jesus Christ that is the center of every message in the Bible. The gospel is essential for every message for our hope is that what we preach is not about how to become morally upright but to point you to the one that causes that radical change in a person and that is an encounter with God. What I'am saying is that we cannot be truly good or righteous and it really is unattainable unless God declares us righteous on the basis of the real accomplishment of Jesus Christ which we received by grace through faith.
When we have experienced that radical change, it overflows to many of the facets in life and what we are going to discuss is regarding work ethics. What does the bible says regarding how we do work and how we act in our work environment as a person who have been transformed by Christ.
1. In Ephesians 6:5-7
"Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people."What this verse is telling is that we honor God in serving our earthly master. As we received this new nature, we no longer live on our own terms but in the light of the Lord's teaching. The reason we do so is that because we are honoring God in doing so and with that truth in mind it produces your enthusiasm when it comes to our work. Environment, co-workers and the nature of the job is now not the factor that we consider when we do our work but it is honoring God. As now who belongs to Him that is now our top priority. We may come to our work and pray that we may honor the Lord in the way or my attitude towards my job. We are to honor Him over any other concern that we may encounter towards daily work and that is the measure of every decision we get to make in our work place.
2. In Titus 2:9-10
"Slaves must always obey their masters and do their best to please them. They must not talk back or steal, but must show themselves to be entirely trustworthy and good. Then they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive in every way."What this verse is telling that when we do verse 9 then the result is verse 10, that we are making the teaching about God attractive in every way. No longer we work and do good in a way that is self-serving, such as to some earning a promotion or to look good in our bosses. I'am not saying that we don't get promotion but that is now the reason that we do good in work, this is desires are being shove over for the Godly purpose reign over in this aspect of your life. More and more our desires are being re-oriented to the desires of God because He is Lord over your life meaning including this area of your life.
3. In 1 Peter 2:18-21
You who are slaves must submit to your masters with all respect. Do what they tell you—not only if they are kind and reasonable, but even if they are cruel. For God is pleased when, conscious of his will, you patiently endure unjust treatment. Of course, you get no credit for being patient if you are beaten for doing wrong. But if you suffer for doing good and endure it patiently, God is pleased with you. For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered[b] for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.The First two seems light to receive but if you heard that you will suffer even you are doing good can we still remain and follow the word of God. We grew up in a wold that promises good things in the perspective of the world if we do good but what the Bible says in this passage is that even you will do good you will suffer as Christ suffer as we follow in the steps of our Lord and savior. Key word here is "while being conscious of His will" that is why we endure even when we suffer in doing good. This is only possible if the old self that is centered in our own is brought down by a self that is fully consumed by Christ that is centered in Christ. Our old self will always retaliate and will ask this questions "what about me, my rights?", "I deserve to be ..." but our new self will now cry out "Lord even in suffering, I will love you anyway". It is at this moment that as long is God is being glorified we are satisfied. We don't get tired, we push and purse because of that drive.
Conclusion
You see brothers and sister when we receive Christ in our life it is now Christ who live in us. Radical change is by the power of Christ you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature (Romans 8:12-13). It means this is a constant surrender/ denying the sinful nature because we are now belong to Him and we are attracted to the things that the spirit wants.
Photo by: Jaime Legaspino
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