Relationship Foundations

So we dove into that passage in Colossians that says wives are to submit to their husbands. It went OK. Nobody got hurt.

Take a minute to read Colossians 3:18-4:1.

Wives, be submissive to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

Husbands, love your wives and don't be bitter toward them.

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

Fathers, do not exasperate your children, so they won't become discouraged.

Slaves, obey your human masters in everything. Don't work only while being watched, in order to please men, but work wholeheartedly, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men, knowing that you will receive the reward of an inheritance from the Lord. You serve the Lord Christ. For the wrongdoer will be paid back for whatever wrong he has done, and there is no favoritism.

Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair, since you know that you too have a Master in heaven.

Without getting into the full depths of the passage, let me point out that every relationship with have has its origin and example in Jesus Christ. Now, if you are not a Christian, I can't expect you to live according to New Testament principles; but if you are a Christian, then your relationships ought to be based upon biblical principles and you should see Jesus as your example.

And you should live that way.

We do this not because we are trying to earn a right standing with God but because through his grace and mercy we do stand right with him. His love authored the great sacrifice of Jesus his son so that anyone who commits their lives to him and repents of their sins will be forgiven and made right with God.

Then, as followers of Jesus Christ, we want to live to honor him. We want to live so others will see the truth of his goodness. We want to live for his glory. Every relationship we have on earth reflects the relationship we have with our heavenly father.

He is the foundation of all our relationships. His character becomes our character. We love like he loves. We are patient and kind and good. And the people in our lives can tell.

Keep these principles in mind as you interact with people today:

Wives, submit.

Husbands, love.

Children, obey.

Fathers, do not exasperate.

Slaves, obey.

Masters, supply.