Living In Christ: Relationships that Honor Christ

In Ephesians 6:1-9, Paul continues in his emphasis that all Christian relationships must be understood within the context of being "in Christ." Having addressed brothers and sisters in Christ, and Husbands/wives in Ch 5, Ch 6 then addresses the relationship between parents/children and masters/servants.

These instructions from Paul are more than merely practical self-help advice, but rather reveal to us how the household functions as a microcosm of the church itself. When God looks at believers, He sees Christ's perfect righteousness, not our imperfect obedience. This gospel truth transforms how we understand authority, obedience, and service in every relationship.

Points to Note:

- Everything in the Christian life must be understood as being "in Christ"—when God looks at believers, He sees Christ's righteousness

- Households and families are building blocks that make up the larger body of Christ, serving as microcosms of the church

- Children are directly accountable to God for obedience to their parents; obeying parents is obeying God

- Parental discipline is an act of love that reflects God's love for us, not a matter of convenience or control

- The master-servant relationship (applicable to modern employment) should be understood as service rendered to God, not merely to human authority

Application: Christ paid the debt of our sin and provided the perfect obedience we could never achieve. It is this perfect obedience that covers our failures and it is His righteousness that God sees when He looks at us as believers. We must remember all of this - marriage, parenting, work - is lived ‘in Christ.’ Although we may fail in these areas at times, Christ never did. His obedience, not ours, is our standing before God. And that is the sure hope that we can stand firm in.