"As Unto The Lord" (Colossians 3.28)

by D.A.J. SMITH | Category: General | Jun 1961

God saw the wickedness of man to be great, for all flesh had corrupted its way upon the earth and it repented Him that He had made man and it grieved Him at His heart (Genesis 6.6). But Noah (righteous and perfect in his generations), found grace in the eyes of the LORD (Genesis 6.8), and unto him He revealed His far-reaching purpose of judgement.

After the judgement was passed, and the world that then was had perished in water (2 Peter 3.6), Noah with his family came out of the ark which had been built at the command of God, according to the divine instructions, and wherein eight souls were saved (1 Peter 3.20). Then God entered into a covenant with this surviving family. He also blessed them and said, "Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth" (Genesis 9. 1) ... "and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; and the waters shall no more become a flood to destroy all flesh" (Genesis 9.15).

Thus a new dispensation of God was brought in, and man, with power of justice and government given into his hand, began to build anew, but alas, before long, the inherent sin of the human heart, which has marred every movement of men down through the ages, Overcame the good intentions of righteous Noah, who, waking from his wine, and discovering the evil of his youngest son, said, "Cursed be Canaan; a servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren" (Genesis 9.25). So, with this first mention of the word " servant" given to us in the Holy Scriptures, a governing order of three classes is thus envisaged, masters, servants and servants' servants, and thus there is here confuted the popular cry of our day, that all men are equal so that masters and employers may well be displaced as unnecessary.

But the word of God does not speak of a classless community any more than it condones the Oppression and injustice caused to the poor, for "He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker" (Proverbs 14. 81), and "He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the righteous, both of them alike are an abomination to the LORD" (Proverbs 17. 15). What grievous disorder has existed in the world through the arrogance and insubjection of man in his given place! and not least have been the chequered relations existing between masters and their servants.

To say, however, that the present-day systems of labour and reward have failed to alleviate such disorder, or to create a true harmony among men, is indeed unnecessary, as trouble and dissatisfaction with existing conditions are increasing daily. The surging discontent in the heart of humanity is expressing itself aloud.

But what of the disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ, of the one who seeks to follow God's faithful pattern Servant, who Himself was not ashamed to be known by this subordinate term (Isaiah 42.1, Acts 3.26, Philippians 2.7), and to conform with the teaching of the New Testament Scriptures? While the believer is not of this world (John 15.19), but is a citizen of heaven (Philippians 3.20), there are temporary obligations which rest upon him with regard to himself and his family which ought to be discharged in a godly manner. "Profess honest Occupations for necessary uses" (Titus 3.14, R.V.M.), and, "Take thought for things honourable in the sight of all men" (Romans 12.17), are words which give useful guidance for every believer, as also do the words of Romans 13. 8, "Owe no man anything."

Some may think their range of service for the Master is unnecessarily confined, because they are unable to do much in the way of assembly activity, or to go abroad proclaiming the Saviour's dying love. But God would not have such discouraging thoughts to lodge in the minds of His own. As hired servants of earthly masters, going forth day by day to the workshop, the office, to service on the high seas, or the tillage of the ground under the vigil of their employers or out of their sight, have they considered the yoke that rests upon them by reason of God's word and the field of service that is open before them? To speak to the unsaved concerning the way of salvation, and to point believers to the way of the truth, are indeed the responsibility of all in the house of God today, but as disciples of the Lord Jesus the importance of our conduct towards earthly masters is clearly emphasized. "Servants (bondservants), be obedient unto them that according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; not in the way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers; but as' servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart" (Ephesians 6.5, 6).

Like unto every circle of authority, God desires, provided that the commands of men do not conflict with His revealed will, that the Christian should render unwavering obedience in his earthly employment, not only to the good and gentle but also to the froward (1 Peter 2. 18), whose conduct and behaviour would not naturally evoke respect or obedience. But because of the God-appointed office he holds, for it is God who "putteth down one, and lifteth up another" (Psalm 75.7). "The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: He bringeth low, He also lifteth up" (1 Samuel 2. 7). An earthly master, therefore, can rightly claim the subjection of believers engaged in his service. Whatever the grief or injustice that one has to endure, we must remember that God's word remains incumbent upon us, even as Paul wrote to Titus,

"Exhort servants (bondservants) to be in subjection to their own masters, and to be well-pleasing to them in all things; not gainsaying; not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things" (Titus 2.9, 10).

Do we all realize that in our daily employment we have in our care the doctrine of God our Saviour? It has been entrusted to us to embellish and beautify by our loyal and faithful service. Conscientiousness, punctuality, trustworthiness are all attractive gems of great value, while the delightful fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5.22, 28), shown out in our lives, has exquisite beauty. Many a testimony has been marred and the faithful have had to suffer reproach because of the indolent and worldly behaviour of professing Christians, who, instead of adorning the precious doctrine, have brought it to disrepute.

While the unsaved worker may try to obtain his or her reward by rendering the very least of their time and ability, seeing their tangible recompense as the only remuneration likely to be received by them, such an attitude should never characterize the child of God. What a wonderful incentive is contained in the words, "Whatsoever ye do, work heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that from the Lord ye shall receive the recompense of the inheritance:

ye serve the Lord Christ" ! (Colossians 3.23, 24).

Whatever the reward we receive at the hands of men, the service that is rendered in honesty and faithfulness, as though we served the Lord Christ alone, will indeed appear again to our credit at the judgement-seat of Christ, where nothing is forgotten that was done to glorify His name. With Him there is no respect of persons.

D.A.J. SMITH | Jun 1961
General