◄ What Does Colossians 4:1 Mean? ►

The Lord is no respecter of persons. There is no one that is excluded from His gracious offer of salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ... and there are none that are given extra-special treatment based on their status, skills, colour, parentage, gender, intellectual capacity, political leanings, business acumen, or charismatic personality.

In his letter to the Colossians, Paul had already outlined the importance of putting off the old life of an unbeliever and putting on the new life we received, in Christ.

He had set out the many appropriate behaviours, godly attitudes, rules for holy living, and priorities to establish, that God expects from all His children. He had given important instructions to each member of a Christian household on their relationships to one another and the different roles and responsibilities each one should maintain within a Christ-centred home.

Paul also gave some important instruction to slaves, hired servants, or those that are engaged in meaningful employment. He encouraged each one to do their work heartily as if they were doing it for the Lord, rather than for men. He even wanted slaves, and those that were in engaged in very trying circumstances, to develop a right attitude towards their employment which honours the Lord and assures them of a heavenly inheritance.

Whether a Christian is a slave or a freeman, it is the Lord Jesus Whom we serve in our work or business. A right attitude will result in a heavenly reward. But equally, Paul warns that the one who does wrong will receive the consequences of their wrong-doing - without partiality!

A right attitude in the workplace is also necessary for those Christians that are masters or bosses. Believers who are in the position of employer or who are the overlords of a business or industry, should act in a righteous and God-honouring manner, and in this verse we read: "Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven."

Those in charge should treat those under them in a godly, upright, and respectful way. Wages should not be withheld, but should reflect fairness, honesty, and integrity, because dishonesty in the workplace dishonours the Lord and is unacceptable to Him.

God is no respecter of persons and whether a man is a slave or a master, we are all redeemed in the same way. We are all saved by grace through faith in Christ... and as God's blood-bought children we should never forget that we also have a Master in heaven - Christ Jesus our Lord. As those who have been saved by grace through faith in Christ, we should all seek to apply the principles of godly living in every area of our lives, no matter where we are or in what situation we find ourselves.

In consideration of the amazing grace that God has bestowed on each one of us by the redemption of our lives through the shed blood of Jesus Christ - should we not seek to honour God no matter what our status, skills, parentage, or gender? Let us seek to honour our God in the home, the community, the workplace, and our local fellowship - to His praise and everlasting glory.

Heavenly Father, how I praise that thank You that there is no shadow of turning with You and that You are no respecter of persons - but that each one of Your children is precious in Your sight. No matter what my circumstances are, I pray that I would follow Christ's example of goodness and grace, kindness and integrity. I pray that I would be fair and honourable in all my dealings and that by Your grace, my life would reflect the beautiful character of Christ, in Whose name I pray, AMEN.