SUNNY THOUGHTS FROM SUNSET by Vance Drum 9-21

On Sunday the Sunset pastor concluded our Colossians series, “Raised with Christ,” with a message, “Domestic Duties.”  The text:  “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men….” [Colossians 3:23]

We live far removed from the First Century, and in America we’ve developed our own ideas about what’s right and wrong—emphasizing independence, individualism, freedom and “my” rights.

The text talks about relationships between husbands, wives, children, fathers, slaves and masters.

The pastor made three points:  (1) Divine Order; (2) Doing Right; (3) Serving God.

(1) Divine Order.  The principle of Scripture is that God’s people can live, know God’s peace, and even prosper spiritually in any place on earth—any nation, culture or under any system of government, regardless of physical circumstances, regardless of our freedom or lack of freedom—if God is within them.

Paul and Silas were singing in jail, in spite of having been beaten.  [Acts 16:25]

There are many Christians in communist, socialist and capitalist countries, all over the world.  Although Scripture commends freedom as preferred [1 Corinthians 7:21], God does not tell His people to throw off by violent means the social order under which they live.

Jesus — to the dismay of many of his followers — did not lead a rebellion against Rome to try to overthrow the emperor, or against the Roman governor Pilate in Judea.

Husbands and wives live in a mutually supportive partnership where the husband is expected to be the spiritual head of his house, to love his wife and not be harsh with her. If he is harsh, God will deal with that.  When the house is in order, there is peace.

If the husband or wife is absent, or when one is acting outside of God’s will, there is a spiritual deficit in the house, and disorder and chaos may follow.

When that happens, children are more likely to be disobedient, out of order, living according to their own immature impulses.  The reason:  parents have abdicated their responsibility to lead, guide, love and discipline — living outside of God’s divine order.

The children of prisoners are seven times more likely than others to go to prison themselves.  Often, lack of parental direction is a contributing factor to their children’s delinquency.

On the other hand, when children are taught to obey their parents, they are more likely to learn to obey God when they grow up.  Children who are disobedient to their parents find it much more difficult to learn to obey God.

Paul wrote:  “Fathers should not embitter their children” through constant criticism or abuse, or “they will become discouraged.”  Parents should find ways to affirm and commend their kids when they do right.  Continual verbal or physical abuse will engender despair and rebellion in their children.

(2) Doing Right.  Paul wrote:  “Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.”  First Century slavery was widespread in the Roman empire, with fully one-third of the population living as slaves.  The principle of doing the right and fair thing led eventually to abolitionist movements and the humane treatment of our fellow humans around the world.

Today Christians are in the forefront of worldwide efforts to eradicate slavery, including human trafficking and the elimination of sexual and economic exploitation.

(3) Serving God.  V23:  “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.”  When we find ourselves working or living in a place that is less than desirable, as Israel lived in Babylon during the exile, God’s people were counseled to seek the peace and prosperity of the city where they lived—even in a foreign land.  Settle down, plant gardens, marry, and have children.  God would prosper them, and God will similarly prosper us.  [Jeremiah 29:4-7]

“The Lord looked down from his sanctuary on high, from heaven he viewed the earth, to hear the groans of the prisons and release those condemned to death.”  [Psalm 102:20]

May the Lord see your need today, and answer according to his rich mercies toward you — our prayer for you from your friends at Sunset Christian Church.