Focus:  What love looks like

Colossians 3:18-4:1

 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.  Husbands, love your wives, and do not be harsh with them.  Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.  Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.  Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters,  not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord.  Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men,  knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for the wrong he has done, and there is no partiality. Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
ESV

Our culture teaches us to get ahead without worrying too much about how we treat others in the process. It teaches us to be our own boss. It teaches us to look out for number one. Words like submit and obey don’t really go along with that mindset. What was it that Paul was teaching here? What type of relationships was he promoting? 

Remember, this passage follows directly on the heals of that list of character traits we are supposed to be wearing, all under the complete covering of love. Love is the guiding principle underlying the commands and relationship guidelines Paul gives here.

We must stop thinking with a me-first mentality and start thinking with a Christlike one. If we look at how Christ interacted with people, Paul’s words begin to make more sense. Paul was encouraging his readers to be respectful and kind to those around them, particularly those they had close relationships with. After all, what shows more Christlikeness than serving those close to us with a humble attitude? Paul even addressed slaves, and while he didn’t condone the system of slavery, he reminded them that they could be a witness by having a humble, Christlike attitude toward their masters. That’s serious about being Christlike in the face of difficult circumstances! The important thing is for us to care about Christlikeness and humility more than we care about what’s best for us. 

• What can you do today or tomorrow to put the needs of someone you love ahead of your own? 

• What can you do to show someone that you love them as Christ loves (think of someone not already in your circle of love)?