Day 66 — Christ in Our Responsibilities

Day 66 · Following Christ in All of Life · Ephesians 6:1-9 (NET2)

Paul addresses household relationships in the ancient world, calling each person to live before the Lord. Children and parents receive instructions, including a warning against provoking children. His words to slaves and masters speak into an unjust institution, not an ideal to restore; masters too stand under Christ’s judgment. We can learn integrity, care, and accountability without equating ordinary employment with slavery.

Request

Lord, shape how I fulfill responsibilities and how I treat those affected by my authority. Amen.

Read

Ephesians 6:1-9

¹ Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. ² “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment accompanied by a promise, namely, ³ “that it will go well with you and that you will live a long time on the earth.”

⁴ Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but raise them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.

⁵ Slaves, obey your human masters with fear and trembling, in the sincerity of your heart, as to Christ, ⁶ not like those who do their work only when someone is watching —as people-pleasers—but as slaves of Christ doing the will of God from the heart. ⁷ Obey with enthusiasm, as though serving the Lord and not people, ⁸ because you know that each person, whether slave or free, if he does something good, this will be rewarded by the Lord.

⁹ Masters, treat your slaves the same way, giving up the use of threats, because you know that both you and they have the same master in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him.

Scripture: NET Bible, Second Edition (NET2).

Reflect

1. What responsibilities does Paul place on those with greater power?
2. Where do you need to replace harshness or people-pleasing with faithful conduct?

Restate

Describe one way accountability to Christ changes everyday responsibility.

Respond

Let the passage guide your prayer. Use these prompts in your own words:

• Praise: Praise Christ, the impartial Lord of all.
• Thanksgiving: Thank him for the dignity of every person.
• Confession: Confess harshness, favoritism, or dishonest work.
• Intercession: Pray for children and workers in vulnerable situations.
• Petition: Ask for integrity and gentleness in your responsibilities.

Carry it into today: Use any authority you have today to protect or encourage, not intimidate.