….obey in all things your masters….in sincerity of heart, fearing God. Colossians 3:22
In this verse Paul is instructing the bondservants who are the slaves. Slavery in those times is not comparable to modern slavery. Slaves were considered as part of a person’s household but did not enjoy the same level of freedom as their masters. According to Paul, these slaves are to show submission and obedience to their masters. Christian were slaves then but yet Paul is not teaching them to rebel but rather instructed them to obey. Paul specifically says that this obedience is not meant to be “for show” only. Nor is it only supposed to meet the bare minimum requirements of the master. The point that Paul is making is that the slaves were supposed to work for God’s glory and not please people. The Christian slaves were to serve “in sincerity of heart, fearing God.”
In our physical lives, whatever job we may have, let us remember that we are accountable to the Father for our attitude and diligence. By obeying our authorities, we are obeying God and bringing Him the Glory. Let us not be men pleasers but let us please God. God is pleased when our focus is to work heartily, as for the Lord and not to men. (Col 3:23).