Be the subject of change
Colossians (19) Be the agent of change
(Colossians 3:22-4:1)
< Obey your physical master >
Obedience to the master of the flesh is the most basic principle of human society (verse 22). Of course, you should be able to say “no!” sometimes when your boss gives you a wrong command, but you must never lose the basic attitude to obey. Even at home, you can say “no!” to your parents when they make a wrong request, but you shouldn't be arguing with them. Be clear about your intentions based on an attitude of obedience. "father! Sorry. Forgive me for not being able to do that. Instead, I will accept any punishment sweetly.” It is obedience, not disobedience.
Even bad and demanding masters are basically obedient (1 Peter 2:18). Obedience to masters and employers and superiors is not submission. Sometimes a servant may be wiser and more capable than his master, and a subordinate may be superior to a superior, but he must still obey the orders of his superior. Obedience is a matter of order, not a matter of superiority or ability. Obedience to authority is not disgrace, shame, or damage to character or face, but rather is the first step to gaining authority.
In particular, be conscious of people and not only do good in seeing people, but be conscious of God and do your work with a fearful heart and sincerity that God sees (verse 22). The reason why many saints are not blessed is usually because of their own irresponsibility and negligence rather than because of God's will. Satisfaction and negligence are different. Satisfaction without sweat is not a good thing. God's grace is usually given through sweat, and it feels precious to gain through sweat. Idleness and laziness bury tomorrow's hope and tomorrow's self in the grave.
To what extent should I be conscientious in my work? Whatever you do, you must do it wholeheartedly, as to the Lord (verse 23). If you are conscious of people, it is difficult to do well consistently, but gradually your soul becomes empty. On the other hand, if you do hard work as if you were doing it to the Lord, you will be able to handle it with joy. Of course, there are times when things don't work out the way you want them to. Then God will speak. “Dear darling! I'm proud of you for doing your best no matter the outcome! ‘Doing your best’ is more important than ‘being the best’.”
< Be the subject of change >
Do your best and leave the rest to God. Don't try to be the best and don't compare yourself to others. Comparisons result in complaints. "God! Why can't I live like this? Why can’t we live in harmony like that couple?” That comparison makes you feel more inappropriate. However, when God calls us, he does not call us to be better than others, but to do our best as we are.
Especially when working, work as you would for the Lord as a process of fulfilling the Lord's will for you rather than working for money. So, choose your workplace and workplace carefully, and if you choose to do so, serve your master and boss like the Lord while you are in that workplace and workplace. Then, it seems that only he is losing money and the apostle Paul who challenges such a life seems to be on the side of his master and his boss, but in fact, that is the way to truly be blessed (verses 24-25).
After the Apostle Paul spoke of the ethics of slaves, he then challenges them to live as human beings without exploiting or mistreating them as a master's ethics (4:1). Those who are born again like that must change their lives and attitudes. At that time, the surrounding environment and society also change. In the days of the early church, various idolatry in Rome was removed with the gospel, martial arts with the risk of life were abolished, and the perception of slaves changed. After all, the promotion of freedom, equality, and human rights is also a product of faith and the Word.
Such good changes should appear in the life of the saints, but now they are running in the opposite direction. Look at America. The United States, which used to be a Christian country, is now centered on pragmatism and monarchism. In addition, extreme individualism, selfishness in the guise of freedom and the rule of law, and greedism that do anything for money are rampant. It is not wrong to be rewarded as much as effort, but the attitude of capitalists to get a thousand times more than the effort is a problem. So the financial crisis came.
It is a criminal act to make illegal money by using something smarter than others. Why does such a similar dark history not subside in Korea, where there are 10 million members? This is because the gospel cannot be manifested in life. A born-again believer must appear like Jesus. In addition, the view of life, history, ethics, and work must be highly different. Be the vanguard and agent of such change. No need to blame others. When I change, others change and society changes.