Wednesday, 9 November 2016
…not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, Ephesians 6:6
This verse continues to explain what was introduced in verse 5. Taken together they read –
“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…”
Paul is asking that bondservants be obedient “not with eyeservice.” It is a word used only here and in Colossians 3:22, and it appears to be a word invented by him. The use of it is to indicate someone who serves only when the eye of his master is present. When the master is out, he refuses to conduct his duties as he should. Paul says that this is inappropriate. Rather, a servant is to serve his master in the same manner as he would for the Lord, which means at all times.
He next says that they are not to be men-pleasers. This word is also found only here and in Colossians 3:22. It indicates someone who is willing to please man rather than God. The idea of both of these words is that a bondservant is to look to his duties to his master (whether he is a good master or a crummy one) as if he was actually serving the Lord. In so doing, he would be a responsible representative of the Lord in the presence of his master. This is explained in the next words, “but as bondservants of Christ.”
By acting as a bondservant of Christ even for his earthly master, he will then be “doing the will of God from the heart.” Paul connects the two duties to show the importance of right and proper conduct at all times.
As we have a different system of employment in the world today, we need to adapt that system to Paul’s words. Rather than masters, we have bosses. However, we are to treat our bosses with the same respect that the bondservant is called to for his master. We are not to be employees who perform with mere eyeservice, nor are we to simply be men-pleasers. We are to act as if we are reporting to Christ, making the most efficient use of our time under the employ of our employers.
Life application: In the world, it is so easy to fall in with the “labor union” mentality. The liberal attitude, both in government and in private industry, says that it is ok to not work to the highest standard of integrity and diligence. But the Bible tells us otherwise. If you act like a democrat in your work environment by failing to give your all to your boss, you are not acting as the Lord would have you to work. It is time to mature out of your self-centered work attitude, and to become a devoted, dedicated employee. And this is regardless of the attitude of your employer. If you can’t deal with him, then it is you who needs to find another job. Think clearly! Apply the Bible and its precepts to your life! Be honoring of the Lord through your employment.
Lord God, the attitude of the work environment, especially among unions and those on the left, is that of eye-service and simply doing the minimum amount in order to get through the work day. But this is not what Your word would have for us to do. Rather, You would have us work our jobs as if we are working for Christ, doing the will of God from the heart. It sure would be nice if people actually did this. Productivity would be up, and whining would be down. Help us to not be whiners, but to be faithful employees who strive to seek Your honor before our earthly bosses. Amen.