… since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven,
Summary: Living in a broken and sinful world seems like an insurmountable challenge. Yet, we all have to face our Maker and our Master at some point.
Yesterday, we ended with the questions, “But what about someone who is incorrigible? What about the workers who won’t work or the managers who can’t get enough of abusing their workers?”
They are good questions! We live in a broken world. It broke when it was brand new, and the serpent slithered into the Garden of Eden. Within a few short minutes, Eve and Adam fell into the serpent’s trap. They believed the serpent when he said God was wrong about touching the Forbidden Tree. They believed the serpent’s lie about the knowledge of good and evil.
A moment in time stretched into an eternity when Eve touched the tree. In an instant, they discovered what it meant to sin against their Creator.
Sin.
Such a simple little word. It is a word that describes being separated from God. It is a word that means rebellion. The word “sin” also means “missing the mark.” Even when we try and do good, we fall short.
Their legacy of sin is still with us. Even among believers, there is conflict. If we, as believers, can’t get along, how is the world supposed to avoid conflict?
So, now what?
Now, we have to worry about judgment.
“Jesus said, ‘For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.’” (John 9:39)
There is a judgment coming.
In Luke, chapter twelve, Jesus tells his disciples two parables about a master and his servants. In the first parable, the servants have waited for the master to return, and everything is as it should be. The master rewards the servants by serving the servants. (Luke 12: 35-40)
In the second parable, the servant decides the master is not coming back. He bullies the other servants, beating them and then eating the master’s food and drinking his wine. Jesus then says, “The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he is not aware of. He will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the unbelievers.” (Luke 12:46)
If we have an abusive boss or workers who won’t work, there is one final recourse when all others have been exhausted: Jesus.
Not the kind, loving, shepherd we read about in the Bible, but the master who cuts evil servants to pieces before assigning them to be with the unbelievers.
Never fear, Justice is near!
Application: Trust God’s justice.
Food for Thought: How does God see us from heaven? Does social status have any bearing on our relationship with the Father?
I think a good answer is stated here:
Galatians 3:26-29 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to promise.
Great reference, Chris.
Paul tells it like it is. We are all sheep in his eyes!
Out Father doesn’t care about our social status.
James 2: 1 – 13: My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,” 4have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?
5Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?
8If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” a you are doing right. 9But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,” b also said, “You shall not murder.” c If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.
12Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.
Romans 2: 11: For God does not show favoritism.
The end of Ephesians 6: 9: and there is no favoritism with Him.
Thanks Rich!
James doesn’t mince words!
10-04-2023, How does God see us from heaven? Does social status have any bearing on our relationship with the Father?
Many of us will immediately go to memories of the fathers of these housing of flesh we are confined to and place these behavioral patterns on God. Maybe they were loving, encouraging, supportive individuals, or possibly they were mean, indifferent, abusive drunks. Irregardless, they have no bearing on our relationship with our Eternal Father in heaven.
We need to begin knowing, understanding, our Father God is “Incomprehensible”. He is Sovereign, Faithful, Good, Just, Merciful, God of all Grace, Love, Holiness. He is Omniscience ( knowing all things at once ). These are some of the attributes of our Unchangeable God as He views all of His creation. Our status in, or according to popular opinion of others beings in this world have no bearing on our relationship with God.
But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
Knowing a price had to be paid for the sins of men, God sent His Only Begotten Son to pay the price, die for the sins of all mankind. John 3:16.
Before giving up His Spirit, Jesus cried out to God, Father forgive them for they know not what they do! Luke 23:34
Jesus loves all, and expressed this love toward sinners. He died to pay the price for all the abused, prostitutes, tax collectors, thieves, lepers, all those judged as unacceptable by mankind, are the people God will stand by and lift up as His treasure through Jesus Christ.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! 2 Corinthians 5:17
Thanks Ron!
You point out that in Christ, the only relationship that really matters is our relationship to the Father. Everything else is an opportunity to serve.