Vital Signs: Tuesday, October 8, 2024

“Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting for those who belong to the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and never treat them harshly. Children, always obey your parents, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not aggravate your children, or they will become discouraged. Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything you do. Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. Serve them sincerely because of your reverent fear of the Lord. Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” ‭‭— Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭18‬-‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬

RELATIONSHIPS WITH BALANCE

Paul could not instantly change cultural institutions and practices like slavery. However, living out the truth he taught, Christ followers would transform culture as their lives were transformed. The truth he shared was balanced and made rational sense. Women were to submit to their husbands, but husbands were to be loving and never harsh. Children were to obey their parents, but fathers were not to aggravate or discourage them. Slaves were to work as if working for the Lord, while their masters were called to be fair. Given the harsh treatment of women, children, and slaves in those days, these were powerful, countercultural truths.

As we have been set free from being slaves to sin, may we reflect Jesus in our daily walks, transformed to become more like Him.