Useful Bible Studies > Ephesians Commentary > chapter 6
God rewards his loyal servants, as Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15. That passage refers especially to church leaders, but all true Christians are the servants of God. In other words, they are doing God’s work in this world. They do God’s work whenever they allow God to guide them in their words, thoughts and actions by his Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16-25). Their sincere desire to please God shows that they are working for him.
Often, a Christian finds himself unable to do any kind of work for God at church. Perhaps he is ill, or a prisoner; perhaps he must work hard for someone else. He may have no opportunity to work in the church or to speak to people about God. However, that Christian must not think that he cannot work for God. A person is genuinely working for God when he stands for God during his troubles. Similarly, a person is working for God when he trusts God in a difficult situation. Whenever a Christian recognises God as his master, he is actually doing his work for God.
God is not like a cruel owner of slaves, who refuses to pay his workers for their work. God will reward all his servants; he will reward everyone who works for him in any way (Mark 9:41). They will all receive their full reward.
A person cannot obtain a right relationship with God by means of the good things that the person may do (Romans 4:1-8). Rather, that relationship is God’s gift to the person who turns from his evil deeds to trust God, because of Christ’s death. The person’s new relationship with God makes it possible for that person to do those things that please God (2:8-10). So, Christians should see their present circumstances, and even their troubles, as an opportunity to serve God.
Next part: Advice to Christians who owned slaves (Ephesians 6:9)
Please use the links at the top of the page to find our other articles in this series. You can download all our articles if you go to the download page for our free 1000+ page course book.
© 2019, Keith Simons.