Heavenly Perspectives: Daily Reflections

TUESDAY, 20 AUGUST 2024

TEXT: Ephesians 6:1-9

1. Children, obey your parents in the Lord [that is, accept their guidance and discipline as His representatives], for this is right [for obedience teaches wisdom and self-discipline].

2. Honor [esteem, value as precious] your father and your mother [and be respectful to them]-this is the first commandment with a promise-

3. so that it may be well with you, and that you may have a long life on the earth.

4. Fathers, so not provoke your children to anger [do not exasperate them to the point of resentment with demands that are trivial or unreasonable or humiliating or abusive; nor by showing favoritism or indifference to any of them], but bring them up [tenderly, with lovingkindness] in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

5. Slaves, be obedience to those who are your earthly masters, with respect for authority, and with a sincere heart [seeking to please them], as [service] to Christ-

6. not in the way of eye-service [working only when someone is watching you and only] to please men, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart;

7. rendering service with goodwill, as to the Lord, and not [only] to men,

8. knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive this back from the Lord, whether [he is] slave or free.

9. You masters, do the same [showing goodwill] toward them, and give up threatening and abusive words, knowing that [He who is] both their true Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with Him [regardless of one’s earthly status].

(Amplified Version Holy Bible)

TOPIC: BUILDING SOUND RELATIONSHIPS

Family life is not limited to the relationship between a husband and his wife alone.

There are other people who help build that relationship such as the children, servants and other.

God expects the family relationship to reflect His intention for the society at large.

He wants parents and children to have a wonderful relationship where the children obey and honour their parents while the parents lead well and do not exasperate their children.

He equally asked for a sound relationship between slaves and their masters. And both should minister to one another as unto the Lord since they know that their master is God Himself.

As we live with people daily, we must minister to them as expected by God so that we can enjoy the relationships that He has established amongst us.

QUESTION: How well do you relate with your parents, children, servants or masters?

PRAYER: Help me to understand that, as a relational God, You want me to relate properly with those You have brought my way, in Jesus name. Amen.