⁵ Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely as you would serve Christ. ⁶ Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. As slaves of Christ, do the will of God with all your heart. ⁷ Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. ⁸ Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.⁹ Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don’t threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites.

Work Relationships

Paul now turns his attention to the third significant relationship that we have. Let’s face it, next to our spouse and our families, the people we work with take up a lot of our time and energy. Anyone who has experienced a bad work environment knows how draining and challenging it can be.

Before we dive into this a little deeper, I should point out that Paul is not promoting slavery as we think of it. Unfortunately, many people have used passages like this one to argue that the Bible supports slavery. But that is not what Paul is doing. Having said that, slavery was very common in Paul’s day. However, many people became slaves by choice. It could be a decent paying job and it allowed the individuals, and their families, to live in fairly decent comfort.

We really should think of slavery in biblical times the same way we think of a typical employer / employee relationship today. Now, for some of you, that’s much easier to do than for others! No wonder you call your boss a “slave driver!”

The bottom line here is that Paul challenges us to respond a certain way regardless of our role within the workplace. Whether we are “the boss” or “the worker,” we need to be above reproach. We should treat those around us decently and put a full effort into all we do.

Most importantly, we should never lose sight of the amazing truth that God is the Master of all. In that sense, we are all slaves to him.

My prayer: Lord, help me to work hard each and every day. Not so that I am recognized by those around me, but so that you are honoured by my work effort. As I start each day, help me to consider all I do in my job as doing something for you. I work for you. Whether I am an employer or an employee, you are ultimately my boss. Amen.

Until tomorrow.

¹ Children, obey your parents because you belong to the Lord, for this is the right thing to do. ² “Honor your father and mother.” This is the first commandment with a promise: ³ If you honor your father and mother, “things will go well for you, and you will have a long life on the earth.”⁴ Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger by the way you treat them. Rather, bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.

Parents & Children

Yesterday, Paul focused in on the relationship between a husband and a wife. Today, he turns his attention to another important relationship: parents and children.

Let me ask you a question: is there a time limit on honouring one’s parents? In other words, is this just something we do when we are children? After all, Paul does address the statement to children. Does that mean we are no longer obligated to obey and honour our parents once we are adults.

Well, yes and no. I do think there is plenty of scriptural evidence to suggest that once you begin a marriage relationship, your first priority should be to your spouse. You submit and obey that person. And so, if a parent tells you to do something that would be harmful or negative toward your spouse, then I think your first priority should be to the person you are a life partner with.

However, I do believe that there is no time limit on honouring your parents. As many of you know, my mom battled cancer for six years before it finally took her life. In her final year, Heather and I were pastoring a church in Northern Ontario (Iroquois Falls). The main reason we resigned that position and moved back to Ottawa was so that we could assist my sister in caring for my mom. We felt it was the right thing to do. It was our way of honouring my mom. If it meant personal sacrifice, so be it. She was my mom.

But do we honour a parent when the relationship was not a good one? Yes, I believe we do. Allow me to use my father as an example. I had no relationship with my dad until I was seventeen. The first time I spent any time with him was during a visit at a maximum security prison where my dad was enjoying a few years stay. My dad cultivated that relationship, in part, I believe, to help make things look better for when he went up for parole.

At his parole hearing, he spoke proudly of reestablishing a relationship with his children. He had us write letters that spoke about how much we were looking forward to building a connection once he was released from prison. I believe those letters and the desire to connect with family helped my dad get a favourable decision from the parole board. However, once he was free, no relationship developed. Was I used? Perhaps. And yet, from the moment he was released, he was welcomed into my family. Even if he were to show up today, he would be welcomed. I would honour who he was supposed to be in my life and who he could be in the life of my children.

Honouring doesn’t mean we agree or support every choice our parents make. Honouring is about condoning bad behaviour. Honouring is simply recognizing who the person is (or could be). You will not hear me tear down my father. While I am open about his struggles with alcohol and other drugs, you will not hear me speak negatively about him. He has his issues. He failed as a father because of the choices he made. And yet, I still honour him.

Is it easy to honour a parent who failed? Of course it isn’t. It takes faith to do so.

My prayer: Lord, thank you for all the positive examples of parents and children that we can find in this world. I consider the role my mom had in my life and I am so grateful for her. She was a truly amazing woman. And yet, not every relationship is a positive one. It can be easy to allow the emotional pain of a bad relationship to keep us from honouring our parents. Help me to not see only failure. Help me to see my parents through the lens of your grace. Amen.

Until tomorrow.

²¹ And further, submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.²² For wives, this means submit to your husbands as to the Lord. ²³ For a husband is the head of his wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of his body, the church. ²⁴ As the church submits to Christ, so you wives should submit to your husbands in everything.

²⁵ For husbands, this means love your wives, just as Christ loved the church. He gave up his life for her ²⁶ to make her holy and clean, washed by the cleansing of God’s word. ²⁷ He did this to present her to himself as a glorious church without a spot or wrinkle or any other blemish. Instead, she will be holy and without fault. ²⁸ In the same way, husbands ought to love their wives as they love their own bodies. For a man who loves his wife actually shows love for himself. ²⁹ No one hates his own body but feeds and cares for it, just as Christ cares for the church. ³⁰ And we are members of his body.

³¹ As the Scriptures say, “A man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.” ³² This is a great mystery, but it is an illustration of the way Christ and the church are one. ³³ So again I say, each man must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Relationships

I’ve preached a four part series on this passage alone. You’d think I’d break this up into a week’s worth of Oil Changes. And yet, here I am, putting it all in one day’s devotional.

I’m doing it intentionally. I want us to focus on the overall point of this passage: we are called to submit to one another. To serve each other. To love one another. To put those around us ahead of ourselves.

Look, it’s not rocket science. God’s ways are different than the world’s ways. At times, his ways will offend the world. How can we expect it to not offend? God talks about dying to our own desires. To giving away our lives for the sake of his purpose. Of trusting him and thanking him even when we experience trials and struggles.

It takes faith to do things God’s way. Extreme faith. And so, yes, those who have no faith will be offended by God’s ways. No kidding.

And I believe that’s why people get all bent out of shape when it comes to relationships. Especially to the role of husbands and wives. Of course, it doesn’t help when Christians teach things that are simply not in the Bible. But, that’s for another day.

Again, the bottom line is this: we are called to submit first to God, and second to each other. If you’re not doing that, you’re missing the point completely.

My prayer: Lord, you’ve called me to submit to my family. To serve them. To place the needs of my wife and my children ahead of my own. To love them unconditionally. To give of myself for their sake. Help me to do that each and every day. And not just for them. Help me to serve each and every person you bring across my path. Amen.

Until tomorrow.

¹⁵ So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. ¹⁶ Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. ¹⁷ Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. ¹⁸ Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, ¹⁹ singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. ²⁰ And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Give Thanks For Everything

I really debated over which direction to go with today’s Oil Change. There are two incredible statements in this passage, both worthy of further consideration. The first is found in verse 16: “Make the most of every opportunity …” Wow. I can only imagine how effective God’s people would be if we took that verse to heart. If each of us truly made the most of every experience we had. Rather than give a half-hearted effort to some things, imagine if we gave it our all in everything. What a challenge.

The second verse that hits me hard is verse 20: “Give thanks for everything.” Everything? I’m sure Paul must have made a typo in this passage. I mean, I can understand thanking God for all the good things that he does, but doesn’t everything also mean thanking God for the bad things? Isn’t that a lot to ask? Is it even realistic?

When my daughter passed away, I didn’t thank God for letting her die. It wasn’t like I stopped and said, “Hey God, that was pretty cool!” So, how can Paul suggest that we thank God for everything?

Here’s how. While I didn’t thank God for allowing my daughter to die, I did thank God for being there with me through the pain of her death. I thanked God for being one whom I could trust in. A God who was there, who understood my pain, who could take every situation and allow good to come from it if I simply trusted him.

And so, in that way, I do believe that we can thank God for everything. Regardless of what you’re facing today, thank God. Thank him for being someone you can trust in. Someone who will give you strength when you feel weak. Someone who will take every situation and cause good to come from it. IF we will trust him.

My prayer: Lord, thank you that when I am weak, I find strength in you. When I feel like giving up, I can turn to you and you will carry me. Yes, I can thank you in every situation. Even when I’m going through something I don’t understand nor want to experience, I can still thank you for loving me and being with me. So, thank you. Amen.

Until tomorrow.

³ Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. ⁴ Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. ⁵ You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world.

⁶ Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. ⁷ Don’t participate in the things these people do. ⁸ For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! ⁹ For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.

¹⁰ Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. ¹¹ Take no part in the worthless deeds of evil and darkness; instead, expose them. ¹² It is shameful even to talk about the things that ungodly people do in secret. ¹³ But their evil intentions will be exposed when the light shines on them, ¹⁴ for the light makes everything visible. This is why it is said, “Awake, O sleeper, rise up from the dead, and Christ will give you light.”

Live As People of Light

Well, isn’t this a romantic verse for Valentine’s Day!

Isn’t it interesting that we like to zero in on things like sexual immorality, impurity, and greed, and yet we often ignore things like obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes?

It’s why I’m not a big fan of making “sin lists.” Whenever we do that, we tend to categorize sin into “big sins” and “little sins.” And yet, the Bible is clear: sin is sin. There are no levels.

I think all of the things listed here should be considered. But even more so, it’s the heart behind them. Live as people of the light. In other words, live as people who have discovered a new message: the message of Grace. That God loves us unconditionally and he has called us to something greater. Something more.

Ahhh, but I can hear some of you already. Doesn’t this passage suggest that people who break the listed sins will not go to Heaven? Actually, no, it doesn’t say that. Look carefully at the passage. It says that people who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of Christ and of God.

So, what IS the kingdom of Christ and God. Well, Jesus made it clear. It’s living in this world and yet not being of this world. It’s seeing yourself as part of another kingdom. It’s creating a new culture within the culture that you live. A culture that declares “God’s way is better than my way.” It’s a culture that believes if you give up your life, you’ll discover a life worth living. If you give, you’ll receive. If you’re first, you’ll be last. To be great, you must serve.

You can’t “inherit” that kingdom (in other words, experience it) and still live for yourself. And if you look closely at the things listed, that’s exactly what they are: things you do when you’re living for yourself instead of sacrificing your desires and wants for others and for God.

So, which kingdom are you going to experience?

My prayer: Lord, help me to not fall into the trap of categorizing sin. When I do that, I minimize some sins. That’s never good. At the same time, help me to truly understand what it means to live in your kingdom. To inherit it. To live a life that is truly different that the life offered by the world. Amen.

Until tomorrow.

¹ Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. ² Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved usand offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God.

Be Like Dad

I’m told that when I was fairly young, whenever I played cops and robbers, I always wanted to be the robber. From some reason, the criminal appealed to me more than the cop. I didn’t find out that my dad was in prison (for robbing a bank) until much later, and yet somehow, in my mind, I knew that’s where he was.

Have you ever heard someone say, “I’m doing exactly what my mom or dad did”? Perhaps you’ve said that. You say something to your child and then it hits you that the phrase was the same thing your parents used to say to you. Sometimes it’s good, sometimes not so good.

The point is, we imitate those who are closest to us. Again, good or bad. In fact, one of the first things a marriage counsellor will do when sitting with a couple is find out about their parent’s marriage. When I do pre-marriage counselling, I’ll ask the couple how they were raised, and we’ll discuss the differences and how to bring them together.

Paul is inviting us to imitate our spiritual father. That’s not easy to do unless you are close to him. In order to imitate God, you need to have experiences with God. Do you? Do you spend time with him? Whether it’s in prayer or reading the Bible, or even just inviting God to be with you throughout your day, the more time we spend acknowledging his presence with us, the more likely it is that we will imitate him.

So, why not invite him on your journey today?

My prayer: Lord, at times the idea of living life the way you would live it seems overwhelming. Can I actually do that? I mean, I mess up all the time. And yet, the reality is, you’ve called me to imitate you in life. And so, I choose to spend time with you. I invite you to walk with me today so that I may learn more from you. Amen.

Until tomorrow

²⁵ So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. ²⁶ And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, ²⁷ for anger gives a foothold to the devil.

²⁸ If you are a thief, quit stealing. Instead, use your hands for good hard work, and then give generously to others in need. ²⁹ Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

³⁰ And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.

³¹ Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. ³² Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.

Lifestyle

In our Extreme Faith series, we talked about what it means to live differently. In fact, the final part of that series zeroed in on living by faith in the area of lifestyle (you can see the video here). The fact is, you can’t live differently without trusting God.

And Paul drives home that point with today’s passage. He lists a number of areas where we should see change in our lifestyle. And yet, at first glance it almost seems like Paul is minimizing the power of these things. For example, if you’ve ever struggled with anger (and trust me, as a redhead, I’ve battled this one!), you know that it’s not as easy as just not getting angry. Just because someone says, “Look, don’t get angry anymore.” You don’t go, “Oh, okay. Now that you’ve mentioned it. I’ll stop getting angry.”

We don’t have the strength or ability to change our lifestyle on our own. We need God’s help. We need the Spirit of God to work from within our hearts. And Paul is saying exactly that. If you remember, yesterday he suggest that we need to “let the Spirit” do these things.

And so, as you look at this list, don’t get discouraged. Instead, allow it to be motivation for continually giving your life over to God’s leading. As you do, you’ll be amazed at how quickly those areas change within your life.

My prayer: Lord, you know that my desire to change is real. And yet, I do struggle at times. I struggle when I attempt to take over control of how I change. Yes, there are certainly things I must do. However, to do them without your help would be foolish and futile. And so, help me. I give permission to your Spirit to change those areas of my life. Amen.

Until tomorrow.

¹⁷ With the Lord’s authority I say this: Live no longer as the Gentiles do, for they are hopelessly confused. ¹⁸ Their minds are full of darkness; they wander far from the life God gives because they have closed their minds and hardened their hearts against him. ¹⁹ They have no sense of shame. They live for lustful pleasure and eagerly practice every kind of impurity.²⁰ But that isn’t what you learned about Christ. ²¹ Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, ²² throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. ²³ Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. ²⁴ Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

Renew Your Thoughts & Attitudes

At first glace, you might wonder what Paul has against Gentiles. I mean, he’s not really all that nice to them in this passage. Wasn’t it just in Romans that he challenged the Jews and the Gentiles to respect each other and live in peace? Now, he’s describing the Gentiles in a less than flattering light. What gives?

Well, he’s talking to Gentiles. That’s who the Ephesians were. He’s reminding of what their life was like before Christ. If he had been writing to a predominately Jewish group, he likely would have talked about pharisaical behaviour. And without Christ, they were all of the things Paul suggests and more.

What Paul is saying, regardless of your background, is that when you come to Christ, you should think and behave differently. There should be a clear change in your lifestyle. Tomorrow, he’s going to talk about specific areas, but today he’s speaking in general terms. In a nutshell, he is pointing out that without the grace provided through Christ, people live for themselves. They are god of their own life. And that’s no way for a Christ follower to live.

However, it’s not simple to change that attitude. It takes inviting God’s spirit to renew your thoughts and attitudes. We need God to help us work through those habits that cause us to continually turn our back on him. With God’s help, we learn to live a life where He is God, not us.

My prayer: Lord, I know there are areas of my life where my attitude does not line up with you. I need help from your Spirit to change the way I think and the attitudes I have. So, help me. Thank you for the work that you will do in my life. Amen.

Until tomorrow.

¹⁴ Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. ¹⁵ Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. ¹⁶ He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.

Tossed Around

Can I confess something to all of you? Promise to keep it a secret? There are few things that bug me more as a pastor than people who are not grounded. People who seem to read a new book, find a new blog, or watch a new video and suddenly declare a new gospel truth. They grab a hold of one particular doctrine and run with it until something more popular shows up, and then they’re off in a new direction.

The same is true of “church hoppers.” You probably know the type. They hop around from church to church. You’ll find them at whatever church is “moving and shaking” that month. I’m generalizing here, but if you’ve been a part of more than four different churches in the past five years, you’re probably a church hopper.

You’re also probably an immature Christian.

There, I said it. I’m sure it wont help with the subscription numbers here at The Oil Change. But, I still think it’s true. Very few things bother me more than people who bounce around from church to church or doctrine to doctrine. I mean, grow up. Please!

I think there is something to be said for someone who commits to a local church and determines to journey with that group of Christ followers. When things don’t go as planned, they stick at it and learn together. They discover truth as a family. They challenge and encourage one another. They are committed to each other no matter what happens. To me, that’s a mature Christian. One who refuses to get tossed around by the latest “in thing.”

Now, I should say that there are exceptions. When you first move to an area or feel God call you to move on to another church, there’s nothing wrong with going to multiple churches to find the right fit. But don’t commit to a church until you are ready to … well, commit. And, there are good reasons to walk away from a church. If their doctrine is not biblical and they are unwilling to walk in the truth, I would leave. But it should always be done with respect and honour.

I guess the question we should ask ourselves is this: how ground are we?

My prayer: Lord, it is easy to get caught up in all the different teachings and styles found in churches today. Because of the internet, access to videos, blogs, newsletters, etc. has never been easier. Much of this stuff can be a true blessing. But none of it should ever replace the value I have in my local church. That is where I am grounded. That is where I stand committed. Help me to never change that. Amen.

Until tomorrow

⁷ However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. ⁸ That is why the Scriptures say, “When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people.”

⁹ Notice that it says “he ascended.” This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world. ¹⁰ And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself.

¹¹ Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. ¹² Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ. ¹³ This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ

Unity in Diversity

Yesterday, we were reminded of the incredible importance of unity within the body of Christ. There are many different expressions of church, and yet, we are all part of one Church.

Today, Paul expands on that thought by talking about the differences we find even within a local church. There are different gifts. Different callings. And yet, our goal should still be the same: unity.

Do you realize that the church is one of the few places where you can find people from different generations, backgrounds, interests, etc. all under one roof? The diversity of personalities that make up any local church is incredible. The fact that so many different people can come together in unity is, well, a miracle.

But it doesn’t happen without effort. You see, each person must have the maturity to celebrate the differences found in others. We have to be able to look at someone else, recognize the gift and calling they have, and learn to serve together in unity. A teacher and an evangelist think differently from one another. A prophet and a pastor approach an individual in unique ways. The key is honouring one another and recognizing that God brings all these diverse gifts together for a common purpose.

My prayer: Lord, may I never see my own gift as more important or valuable than the other gifts represented in my church. Likewise, help me to never consider my gifting as unimportant in achieving your purpose for the congregation you have called me to be a part of. We are all necessary and called to serve together. Amen.

Until tomorrow.