Ephesians 6:5-9 “Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free. And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.”
There is a great lack of respect for authority in our world today. I believe these verses of scripture outline the cause. We have failed to teach, both in word and example, a proper reverence for Christ and God. Men hold a similar concept of God as they do of the fable of the genie in the lamp. With the proper motivation (i.e. rubbing the lamp), God will show up and grant us our wish. Once the wish is granted, we are through with God until the next time we need something.
When we pledge our service to a person, a company, or a congregation, we need to recognize that with that pledge comes a certain responsibility to honor those that are in control. Like it or not, when we pledge to perform some labor or service for someone else, that entity is in the position of being a master (having control) of our actions for the time that we are pledged to them. The key for us, as servants, is to take our pledge seriously as being made it to Christ.
Whatever our labor, it is incumbent upon us to perform it with sincerity (singleness of heart). We should not require constant supervision, nor should we desire an audience in order to perform our responsibilities. Our service to others should be handled with diligence: we are, after all, doing the will of God. If our labor is offered unto Him then we will not need to worry about pleasing men. We are promised that any good we do comes from the Lord, and that which comes from the Lord is perfect.
God is not given to pariality. He is not going to favor one above another based on background, upbringing, income, or any of the other things men use to measure the worth of another. God sees the heart and He is faithful to all His promises. He expects the exact same sincerity and diligence from those who perceive themselves to be masters as He does from the servants. If you are in a position of control, remember that your treatment of others should be the same as you expect from them. Authority should be used with love and restraint, knowing that regardless of our position in this world, we are also servants of Almighty God.
No matter who we are, or who men perceive us to be, there is one God the Father, one Lord Christ, and one Holy Spirit. This Triune God is the Master of all creation: all we do and say should be first offered to Him. As long as it is acceptable to Him, we can proceed without fear of what men may say or do. Whether we are bond or free, master or servant, high or low, whatever good thing we do we have received from the Lord. The praise and the glory belong to Him.
May we do everything as unto the Lord, seeking His will and giving Him honor and glory, that whether master or servant we live to please Him!