Laura J. Davis
  • Home
    • About
    • My Testimony
  • Bible Studies
    • Devotionals
  • Blog
  • Bookstore
  • Interviews & Reviews
  • Home
    • About
    • My Testimony
  • Bible Studies
    • Devotionals
  • Blog
  • Bookstore
  • Interviews & Reviews



​Unlocking God's Word

How to Have Peace At Home and at Work

2/26/2023

6 Comments

 
Picture

Read Ephesians 6:1-9

And now, we come to the last chapter of Ephesians. After instilling in the Ephesians the importance of submission and what that looks like for married couples, Paul continues to instruct these new Christians on how they should treat their children and their servants and how they should respond to those in authority over them.

Interestingly, Paul's underlying submission theme can still be seen in his instructions in three little words, "in the Lord." For it is in the Lord we abide, and through our reverence for Him, we submit to one another and learn to live in peace with each other.

For children, this meant obeying their parents, and it came with a promise from God "that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth." Their act of submission to the Lord was by obeying their parents. But there was an added warning from Paul when dealing with children. It is specifically addressed to the fathers, "Do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord."

In the pagan world of Paul's day, most men ruled their families with rigid and domineering authority. The feelings of wives and children were seldom considered. But Paul is showing them a new way to raise children. The word "admonition" is nouthesia in Greek and means "the training by word," whether of encouragement or, if necessary, by reproof, so Paul is showing the fathers the importance of being the spiritual head of the home. For it is through the Word of God that we find our peace. Putting God first above all in the home had a "trickle-down" effect. Women would submit to their husbands out of reverence for God, and children would obey their parents out of reverence for God. 

The same principle was put into practice for those with servants. Servants were to serve their masters as they would serve Christ, and masters were to do the same thing. The only exception is regarding a command that involves clear disobedience of God’s Word, as illustrated in Acts 4:19, 20.

In today's world, we are to serve our bosses (however disagreeable they may be) as we would serve Christ and vice-versa. Submission to each other "in the fear of the Lord" (reverence for God) is how peace within the body of Christ is established and the only way the church will survive in this turbulent world.
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.  - Colossians 3:15
6 Comments
Sherry Stahl link
1/30/2017 03:31:57 am

Laura,
I love your point that "Paul is showing them a new way to raise children". God's ways are always to live higher or better than the status quo.
~Sherry Stahl
xoxo

Reply
Laura Davis link
1/31/2017 01:37:50 pm

God's ways are indeed the best.

Reply
Michele Morin link
1/30/2017 07:36:36 am

Family relationships can be so complicated and tangled -- we certainly need to read and apply Paul's words of guidance.

Reply
Laura Davis link
1/31/2017 01:39:31 pm

Isn't it interesting that the Apostle Paul (who had no children) would be granted these insights into raising them?

Reply
Alexandra Yeboah link
1/30/2017 08:20:20 am

Thanks for sharing your insights Laura. In a time where so much division is abounding all over, these principles that Paul shares in this chapter of Ephesians is a perfect model that can truly usher in peace and unity. But yes, the only way we can truly enter into a spirit of submission especially to those in authority is if the spirit of Christ dwells within us. Blessings :)

Reply
Laura Davis
1/31/2017 01:42:53 pm

Unity is the key! Thanks for stopping by Alexandra.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    October 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    July 2018
    June 2018
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017

    Categories

    All
    Angels
    Baptism
    Beatitudes
    Bible
    Bible Study
    Blessings
    Book Of James Bible Study
    Confession
    Demons
    Ephesians
    Exhortation
    Faith
    False Prophets
    False Teachers
    Fasting
    God's Plans
    God's Word
    Healing
    Hope
    Jesus
    Knowing Jesus Series
    Lamb Of God
    Love
    Practising Holiness
    Prayer
    Prophecy
    Repentance
    Satan
    Sermon On The Mount
    Serving
    Spiritual Gifts
    Suffering
    Teaching
    Universalism

© 2014 Laura J. Davis. All Rights Reserved.
Photo used under Creative Commons from symphony of love