Text: Ephesians 6:5-9
Memory text:
“And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,”
Colossians 3:23 NKJV
We are called to glorify God in every place. There should be no divide between the sacred life and the secular life. The sacred life usually includes church, prayer and all spiritual activities, while the secular life is considered to be the common or the unspiritual life like the workplace, business, sports and recreation, and other day to day routine activities. The sacred and secular should not be conceived to exist apart from each other and to be incompatible. Rather, our inner life should reflect in all aspects of life.
Our Lord Jesus, as our example, had no divided life. He walked among people and didn’t limit His spirituality to the temple but reflected it everywhere He went. He manifested God’s glory during social gatherings, recreation, and visits to friends. He sought to please God in all things.
“And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.”” (John 8:29).
He sought to please God in the temple, He also pleased God and reflected His spirituality as He walked among people. He didn’t have a separate life.
The secular life is not separate from the sacred life, in that all of life is lived as worship to Christ. The sacred is always present everywhere because of God’s presence in us. “…He who sent Me is with Me.” You don’t leave God’s presence behind in the church, but you carry it along to your workplace and your everyday life.
Jesus said, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matt 5:16). God is glorified when your inner life shows in the way you live in the world, like the bond servant in our text. Your good life will point others to God, and this will bring Him honour.
The soldier or the steward should not think of his task as being inferior to that of his minister. Let him abide in the calling wherein he is called, and his work will be as sacred as the work of the minister. It is not what you do that determines whether your work is sacred or secular but who you seek to please as you do the work. If pleasing God is your motive, then your work is sacred.
Friends, to “do all for the glory of God” means that all should be done for God’s glory, but not anything can be done for God’s glory. As you sanctify the Lord God in your heart, your work will no longer be common. However, a sinful and self-indulging life can not glorify Him.
Prayer points
1. Father, be glorified as I seek to please You in all things and in all places, in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, let Your presence always be with me and let Your light shine through me everywhere, in Jesus’ name.
Today’s declarations
1. I don’t have a separate life because God’s presence is with me everywhere and does not leave me.
2. Whatever I do, I do heartily as to the Lord and to please Him.
Contact: pastor@thf.org.ng