The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Ephesians 6:5-9, “Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ;
6 not by way of eye-service, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.
7 With good will render service, as to the Lord, and not to men,
8 knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free.
9 And, masters, do the same things to them, and give up threatening, knowing that both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.”

“I’ve had it! I won’t take any more! I’m going to tell him exactly what I think!” Have you ever felt like that? I’m sure most of us have. At some time, in some situation, we’ve been subjected to what we believed to be unfair treatment, and had had enough. Paul’s instruction, however, takes a different track. He believes that we are all under the authority of someone at sometime, and we had better recognize it and behave. We need to understand that Christ is our Master and that we are serving Him as we serve those who are humanly in authority over us.

Get a different perspective on your situation. You are in a job the LORD has provided. What’s more, you may be there primarily as an example of Him. Do you work diligently. Don’t just appear to be hard-working when the boss is around. The LORD is your ultimate authority, and He is always viewing what you do and how you do it. How you are treated by your physical boss, doesn’t really matter. The LORD has His purpose for you right where you are.

“But, I’m not being paid sufficiently for what I do!” That may be so, but that doesn’t matter, either The LORD’s reward will take into account your attitude as well as your performance; and His reward will far outweigh any and every thing you could receive in this life.

Listen! The LORD has a stern warning for the one in authority over you, as well. He’s telling them to “give up threatening” you because His authority in Heaven supersedes them. He shows no partiality. They will be held to account for all the injustices they have brought upon you. The LORD is in control. He is aware of everything! And in the end of it all, His justice will prevail. Relax in your temperament. Just trust everything to the LORD!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom