Pleasing Christ vs. Pleasing Others (Part 1 of 2)

The Relevance of Ephesians 6:5-9 Today

We're diving into Ephesians 6:5-9, a passage that addresses bondservants and masters. While slavery isn't part of our lives today, this text holds invaluable principles for us, especially in modern contexts like work, school, and authority relationships. These verses broaden beyond literal slavery to teach how to live as new creations in every area of life.

Ephesians 6:5-9
Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free. Masters, do the same to them, and stop your threatening, knowing that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with him.

The new creation reality in Christ permeates every sphere—family, church, and even challenging relationships like slaves and masters. There's no gray area where you can excuse living as the old self. Paul includes this socially unacceptable context to show that Christian transformation affects all of life.

Living as the New Creation in Every Relationship

Consider marriages with unbelievers, unsaved parents, or school settings—these could seem like excuses to slack on obedience. But Scripture demands we fulfill our roles as new creations, unless it involves sin. Even in the taboo slave-master dynamic, Paul commands obedience from a transformed heart.

This all-pervasive principle means youth today can apply it to parents, teachers, bosses, or any authority. The goal: demonstrate God's glory through obedience, not selective compliance.

The Heart of Obedience: Fear, Trembling, and Sincerity

Bondservants are to obey "with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ." This isn't fear of punishment or human approval—Paul uses "fear and trembling" for reverential worship toward God alone. It's a cautious, God-centered life where you ask, "What does God want?" not "What do I want?"

Holiness eliminates sin options, freeing you to pursue what pleases Him. Your joy flows from His pleasure. Slaves obey masters this way—not for relief from beatings or praise—but to worship God. The same applies to youth under authority.

Broad Application: Slaves, Servants, and Authorities

The Greek term doulos (bondservant/slave) has a semantic range including voluntary service under authority. Masters can mean anyone in authority—bosses, teachers, parents. Submit reverently to God through them, unless it's sin.

Workplaces, schools, stores: abide by human institutions as unto the Lord. This covers every scenario, from homeschooling to jobs. The motivation isn't the authority's value, but God's commands for holiness and worship.

Rewards for the Good Heart

Verse 8 promises: whatever good anyone does, they will receive back from the Lord—bondservant or free. "Good" here means sincere-hearted obedience with fear and trembling, free from people-pleasing or eye-service. Pursue this for blessing now and magnificent rewards in eternity. Don't miss out.

The line is drawn: people-pleasers seek human praise; Christ-pleasers seek God's glory. Choose the path of humility, powered by Christ's strength, where desire for Him exceeds approval from others.

Applying the Passage to All Believers

Paul gives us license to apply this passage even if we're not slaves. If we don't have an earthly master, the attitudes still apply. We must tremble with fear before God, maintaining a worshipful, respectful attitude and actions. From the heart, we avoid deceiving or taking advantage of people; we simply render service to the Lord.

Two Groups in Scripture: Hebrews 6

Scripture divides people into two groups: those who believe in the Lord and those who reject Him—those headed to paradise and those to condemnation. There's no neutral middle ground; you can't ride the fence. You're either for God or against Him.

Hebrews 6 describes two kinds of people. One group tastes the heavenly gift, enters covenant community, hears the Word, experiences Christian benevolence, participates in the Holy Spirit's work, and even spreads the gospel. Yet, when suffering comes, they fall away.

This happens in youth groups: activities, missions trips, homeless ministries, evangelism—all done without salvation. Then hardship or college worldviews hit, and without a firm gospel foundation, fear of God, and reverential worship, they bail.

The other group convinces others of their salvation through specific actions and motivations. There is service and love for God's people, but the distinction is doing it to love and worship God. Attitude: God first, people second. This evidences salvation—not because someone demands distinctiveness, but because you've been saved, loving and treasuring God above all.

Thus, as a slave, you'd obey your master because God's glory eclipses the situation. Motivations for marriage, parenting, church service—all stem from loving God and seeking His pleasure. Slave or free, do good, and receive from the Lord.

The Nature of Rewards from the Lord

This isn't material prosperity gospel—promises of wealth for donations. The reward is immaterial: the motivation and attitude leading to kindness with material things. It's good service rendered with good will to the Lord, receiving a quality of life—joy and satisfaction in your relationship with God. This eclipses negativity.

Key Takeaways

Your motivations matter greatly; the New Testament takes them seriously. Doing something isn't enough—it must be from pure, godly motives. Even mundane tasks like brushing teeth gain infinite value when done to glorify God.

Ask: Why youth group? Missions? Hanging out? Not expectation, tradition, or people-pleasing—wrong motivations. Simplify to: I love the Lord; this pleases Him, not people. "Sincere and pure heart" means simplification—revert to pure motivations, generously and ongoingly, not one-off obedience.

Your attitudes and behaviors matter; every moment is known to God—every bad click, word, private encounter. Forgiveness doesn't mean it doesn't matter; it mattered so much God sent His Son. He still disciplines sin.

Interactions with others matter; never seek accolades. Avoid ministry comparisons or boasting spiritual experiences for attention. Keep intimate moments with God private.

Main focus: God's will in every life aspect—holiness, purity, worship with fear and trembling. Worship through faithful service as slave, worker, or under authority.

Your Master is Christ in heaven; you're His slave. He gives marching orders. Don't seek rewards from others. God's grace, sending His Son, plus promise of reward for good—exciting motivation.

Instructions for Masters

Paul addresses masters too. In authority? You're still Christ's slave. No authority except from heaven. Gain obedience not through threats, rudeness, or sarcasm, but as one fearful, trembling, not people-pleasing.