Ephesians 6 - Life's Hierarchy
One of the things about life is that there are some things we choose and others that are thrust upon us.

The first part of Ephesians 6 outlines for us some of the things that we can't change. Children should honor their parents and slaves (employees in the modern day) should honor their masters (the boss in our vernacular).

The choice comes in in how we approach these situations and whether or not we recognize that God is in control (whether we acknowledge that or not, He is the ultimate CEO of the universe).

Continuing that analogy, in families, husbands are the President, with their wives as the Vice President and key advisor. The older kids are middle management, learning to make their own decisions and the little kids are the entry level employees!

If the husband doesn't recognize his role or isn't properly equipped with God's Word, often the wife takes the President role and pushes him down to middle management or worse, entry level. So it is important that husbands understand what God wants them to do and understand how wonderful it will be when they allow God to work in them to become the leader and warrior that He intends them to be.

Now in any healthy company, the President has many advisors and he or she rarely makes autocratic decisions. In a company where the President is an autocrat, you won't find morale to be very high. I can speak for myself as the CEO and President of my company that it is much more fun to be in control than having someone tell you what to do! But with that priviledge, comes responsibility. And one of those responsibilities is to build up those that rely on you so that they will be stronger and richer having been affiliated with you (and under your leadership).

What Ephesians 6 tells us is that we will be much happier if we both recognize authority and take the position in our families and society that God has blessed us with.

Now the really cool thing is that beginning in verse 10, he promises to equip us properly for our role. For those that don't get in that particular line (thinking they have to do it all themselves), the responsibility can be a heavy weight.

One of the reasons that I am including the Message translation of the Bible in my BLOG each day is that I want visitors that don't know the power of God to better understand what the Word is really about. While it may lose a little in the translation (certainly some of the piety of the Thees and Thous of the King James Version), if even one person comes to know Him through this Blog, then the time invested is worth it.

Blessings to all who read this. May you find your place in the hierarchy of life and find the peace of the creator of the Universe, the CEO of life.

To quote verse 23-24 in the Message translation "Good-bye, friends. Love mixed with faith be yours from God the Father and from the Master, Jesus Christ. Pure grace and nothing but grace be with all who love our Master, Jesus Christ."

Ephesians 6

1-3 Children, do what your parents tell you. This is only right. "Honor your father and mother" is the first commandment that has a promise attached to it, namely, "so you will live well and have a long life." 4Fathers, don't exasperate your children by coming down hard on them. Take them by the hand and lead them in the way of the Master.

5-8Servants, respectfully obey your earthly masters but always with an eye to obeying the real master, Christ. Don't just do what you have to do to get by, but work heartily, as Christ's servants doing what God wants you to do. And work with a smile on your face, always keeping in mind that no matter who happens to be giving the orders, you're really serving God. Good work will get you good pay from the Master, regardless of whether you are slave or free.

9Masters, it's the same with you. No abuse, please, and no threats. You and your servants are both under the same Master in heaven. He makes no distinction between you and them.

A Fight to the Finish

10-12And that about wraps it up. God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.

13-18Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out.

19-20And don't forget to pray for me. Pray that I'll know what to say and have the courage to say it at the right time, telling the mystery to one and all, the Message that I, jailbird preacher that I am, am responsible for getting out.

21-22Tychicus, my good friend here, will tell you what I'm doing and how things are going with me. He is certainly a dependable servant of the Master! I've sent him not only to tell you about us but to cheer you on in your faith.

23-24Good-bye, friends. Love mixed with faith be yours from God the Father and from the Master, Jesus Christ. Pure grace and nothing but grace be with all who love our Master, Jesus Christ.