Pastor Leon’s SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer

June 10: Song of Solomon 1-4; Ephesians 6

Scripture: Ephesians (NIV) 6:5 Slaves obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart. 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free.

Observation: The instructions in these verses apply to all who owe their time to another. They clearly apply to an employee’s attitude toward their boss and job.
The way we treat someone over us is a testimony of what is happening in our lives. On the basis of our new-birth we have become joint-heirs with Christ and an integral part of the kingdom of heaven. So whatever our job, others should be able to see our devotion to God.
We should treat those over us with appreciation. We should work to please them just as we work to please Christ.
Paul realizes that it is a heart matter. How sad to hear people talk about their boss away from work quite differently than they would if the boss was nearby! There is a lack of respect, which means that there is no sincerity in the heart while they are at work.

Application: As an employer serving the Lord, I must be very careful in how I pay my employees (Colossians 4:1). However as a school bus driver my salary has nothing to do with how I accomplish my task. I am working for the Lord! His smile is my greatest reward! If I am a good servant for the Lord I will be a good servant for my earthly boss. And since I am God’s servant, I am finding how an earthly boss treats this servant of His is more His responsibility than mine.

Prayer: Lord, it is my pleasure to serve you. May I be faithful and diligent is performing the tasks you have assigned me to do. Amen

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!