Colossians 3:18-4  As we walk "in Christ".. putting on the "heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.."  and as we strive to do "all things" in His name...we are called to remember that it is the Lord Christ whom we serve.  In every relationship we have on this earth.. may Christ be honored!

Paul teaches that wives, husbands, children, slaves, and masters.. each have a responsibility to serve others as is "fitting in the Lord".  For a wife, it means being "subject" to her husband.. and for the husband it mean to "love" his wife as Christ loves His church.  For children, it means to obey their parents.. and for parents it means to raising them in a godly way. 

A slave who is called of Christ to serve.. will serve with "sincerity of heart".. working to please the Lord and not necessarily the man. The master.. who loves the Lord and walks in Christ would be just and fair.

No matter what our occupation.. no matter what are family is like.. as followers of Christ, we want to live in a way that serves Him.   Colossians 4:2 gives us the key.... "Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert with an attitude of thanksgiving;"  We serve a Savior who "holds all things together "; who "reconciled all things to Himself".. Who holds all the riches of glory.. and is our Hope.  He will give us wisdom and understanding when we keep our minds centered on Him. who is "seated at the right hand of God"!  We have an all-powerful, supernatural, perfect, and loving Lord who will help us to do all these things and be the people He wants us to be.. 

Paul leaves us with one more instruction, "Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of every opportunity. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person." (4:5-6)

 Father.. As we walk in this world.. may the love and compassion, the kindness and humility.. the gentleness and patience of Jesus be seen.. be manifested..  in all we do and in all we say. . Thank You.  Amen.