1 Timothy 6:1-2
"Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy
of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.
And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because
they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful
and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort."
As I further studied the topic of faithfulness today, I came upon the
above portion of scripture. There are several points within this text
that I would like us to consider today in regard to the attitude we are
to take toward our masters. An unbelieving master as is referred to by
the term "under the yoke" as used above. The Bible says believers are
to take certain attitudes toward such masters - they are to count them
worthy of ALL honor! That doesn't mean they EARN your respect, it means
they DESERVE it because God said so. Ladies, if you don't comply, then
the result is plain and simple; the name of God and His doctrine is blasphemed.
For a servant to rebel toward an unsaved master brings disgrace upon the
Gospel. In short, to behave irreverently toward them is to cast the same
irreverence upon the Lord.
How's your attitude toward your unsaved husband these days, Christian
wife? As far as the Lord is concerned, your lost husband is your master
whether you accept him as such or not. Are you struggling in the area
of respect for him? If so, then you are guilty of disobedience to God,
for He has told us to count such masters worthy, not unworthy. No doubt
you typically honor your husband if he earns it through performance rather
than out of your obedience to the Lord's preferences. If you really want
to dissect this problem, you are requiring the Lord to deliver certain
goods to your doorstep before you'll do right by His Word! Such a pious
attitude is nothing more than casting contempt upon the will of the Lord.
You don't serve God - you serve YOU - and your unsaved husband knows it
by the way you treat him!
1 Peter 2:18, "Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not
only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward."
Ladies, we are not to view our masters differently - whether lost or saved!
Servants are to conduct themselves
properly in ALL circumstances. In our main text above, servants with believing
masters are commanded not to despise their authority. Dear wife, are you
often wrestling with despising your saved husband?? Do you secretly have
a low opinion of him, holding contempt for him in your heart? Perhaps
you need to spend some time observing a woman with an unsaved husband
so that you can be reminded of the blessing it is to have a believing
master! Not only is he your master, your saved husband is your brother
in the Lord.... Is it ever right for members of the same earthly AND heavenly
family to deal disrespectfully with one another? Of course not! Ladies,
God expects unity to exist in a Christian home... You and your husband
are heirs together of the grace of life. If you've been guilty of withholding
your devoted service to your beloved husband, then you have lost sight
of what pleases God.
Titus 2:9, "Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and
to please them well in all things; not answering again;"
It's not liberation we are to campaign for, but obedience... Regardless
of who they might be, the Bible says we are to have a desire to please
our OWN masters and please them WELL! If we interviewed your master today,
would your husband tell us he was well pleased in ALL things pertaining
to you?? Do you have a habit of "answering again" - of retaliating, or
of contradicting everything your husband says? Then today's exhortation
is for you! I hope you'll take it to heart and become more faithful...
There ought not be any underlying motive in our service other than the
dread of displeasing God!
Col. 3:22, "Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the
flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart,
fearing God:
Before I close, I want to bring up one other point in regard to mastering
respect. Ladies, our children have also been given commands when it comes
to their attitude toward their masters, their parents. Let's review them...
Ephes. 6:1-3, "Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;)
That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth."
Mark 7:10, "For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother; and, Whoso
curseth father or mother, let him die the death:"
Col. 3:20, "Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well
pleasing unto the Lord."
Notice that children are commanded by God to equally respect and honor
both mother and father. Regardless of sex or character, lost or saved,
God expects our children to treat each parent the right way. Praise the
Lord, amen? Now ask yourself this question... Are you properly assisting
your children in their obedience to God and promoting their living in
the fear of the Lord? You see ladies, as mothers we have the wonderful
privilege of staying home with our children all day long. This affords
us the opportunity to train them diligently in the things of God. However,
they will pick up on our attitudes toward our masters... Have you passed
the baton of disrespect for your husband down to your precious sons and
daughters?? Do they now carry the torch of your bitterness toward their
father or do they count them worthy of respect? Have you made it easier
or harder for your children to think properly toward the master of the
home? How seriously do you think God takes it when their own mother hinders
His life growing within her children's little lives??
Matthew 19:14, "But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them
not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven."
Mark 9:42, "And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe
in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck,
and he were cast into the sea."
In closing, the way servants treat their masters is a very serious matter.
How do you like the thought of possibly keeping your children from coming
to Christ? It's certainly a frightening aspect of parenthood! As scripture
teaches, immediate death would be better than further damaging involvement...
Ladies, whatever sin is present in your life today that might cause others
to stumble must be removed! What specific changes do you need to make
in your life-style in order to live wholeheartedly for righteousness sake?
What can you do this week to make your witness for Christ clearer to the
unbelievers around you? What concrete action can you take to avoid a particular
sin in regard to your husband that you have struggled with in the recent
past? May we all seek to master respect for our masters!
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2001 Pamela A. Iannello
