“Servants, obey in all things those who are your masters according to the flesh, not just when they are looking, as men pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing God.”

We are not talking here of being sycophants who acquiesce to all requests and try to be people-pleasers. We are to be sincere in our work and do it properly at all times, when we are being observed and when we are not. We are to carry out the duty requests of our managers and bosses with a good heart, thoroughly and with a happy spirit. We have one purpose in all things, to please the Lord. When we do our work well, the Lord is glorified, whoever sees it or not. In all thing we set out to be honest and sincere and that includes when we work at a job we do not like or for someone who is oppressive. The Lord refines our attitudes as we do His will and obey the Scripture whether we feel like it or not. 

If we are asked to do something which is against our conscience, we can speak up, even when is costs us, or puts our future in jeopardy. God will honour what we do and will protect us. If we have been honest and true at work, then it is easier to speak up, because it will be known that we are not trouble-makers but sincere. Sometimes it will cause suffering to us and sometimes we will see the delivering hand of God in our circumstances. In all things we trust Him and stick closely to the holy commandments. 

We may not be actual servants, but we all serve in some capacity, even if it is family and friends. We serve gladly and with a good heart to ensure the comfort of those we serve. We all serve each other in Christ and no one is above another. Indeed, the more recognition we receive, the greater the servant we become. 

“In that hour the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven?” Jesus called a little child to himself, and set him in the middle of them and said, “Most certainly I tell you, unless you turn and become as little children, you will in no way enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. Whoever therefore humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Matthew 18:1-4

To be great in the eternal kingdom of Christ we must become the servant of all. This goes against our human and fleshly desires and we find it difficult to put ourselves in the low position and keep ourselves there. We prefer to be recognised and lauded, and made to feel we are important. But the way of Christ is very different to this world, and if we are to live for Him we need to be prepared for that. We gain all our confidence and encouragement from Him and those we know who also love Him and are His servants.