Thursday, 10 November 2016
…with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, Ephesians 6:7
Again, context needs to be maintained in order to see the progression of Paul’s thoughts –
“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…”
He last stated that the duties of the bondservant are to be carried out as if “doing the will of God from the heart.” He now elevates the thought to show that “from the heart” means that he is to have a proper attitude in that his service is to be done “with goodwill.” It is a word used just this once, and it indicates “with kindness” or “with enthusiasm.” It is directly connected to another word used in Matthew 5:25, translated as “agree with,” or “make friends with” –
“Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are on the way with him, lest your adversary deliver you to the judge, the judge hand you over to the officer, and you be thrown into prison.”
The duties of a bondservant are to have this friendly and agreeable attitude because it is “as to the Lord, and not to men” that his work is actually to be done. We may have earthly masters over us, but we are first and foremost servants of the Lord. It is to Him that we are fully accountable in all aspects of our lives.
Life application: Who do you feel you are serving when you go to work? A crummy boss? A greedy company? In the highest sense, you are serving the Lord. Therefore, perform your duties to the highest of your capabilities, knowing that He will reward you for your efforts in glorifying Him.
Lord God, some of us have really crummy bosses, or we work for corporations who are greedy and uncaring about the world around them. All they can see is the amount of profit they can get out of it. And yet, when we go to our jobs, we are above all serving You. Give us the desire, as faithful followers of Christ, to perform our jobs to the utmost of our capabilities so that others will see and speak well of Your name. Surely You will reward us for our efforts in bringing such glory to You. Amen.