chuckhilltoday.com
Honor Christ in Every Role

Honor Christ in Every Role

Honor Christ in Every Role

Colossians 3:18–4:1 (NIV)

Let me ask you something personal this morning: Where does your faith show up most?

Is it in church? In your quiet time? When you pray or sing?

That’s good—but here’s a deeper question: Where does your faith feel the most difficult to live out?
For most people, the answer isn’t in the sanctuary—it’s in the everyday stuff of life.

  • In the home… where conflict or chaos often happens behind closed doors.
  • In the workplace… where pressure, personalities, and expectations collide.
  • In our closest relationships… where selfishness, pride, and hurt can show up uninvited.

But here’s the truth: Jesus doesn’t just want to be Lord of your Sunday—He wants to be Lord of your schedule, your habits, your words, and your relationships.

In Colossians 3:18–4:1, Paul moves from spiritual formation to practical transformation. He turns the lens from personal virtue to relational obedience. He shows us that if Christ is truly above all, it must affect how we treat others in the places we live and work.

This passage might seem countercultural or even uncomfortable in our modern ears. But if we’ll lean in, we’ll discover a vision of life where Christ’s lordship brings orderdignity, and freedom—to every role, relationship, and responsibility.

Let’s open our Bibles and let God speak into the roles we play every day.

Colossians 3:18–4:1 (NIV)

18 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.
20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.
22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.

4:1 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven.

Paul begins with the most personal sphere—the home. A Christ-centered faith must show up in how we treat those closest to us. Let’s start there.

1. Live Out the Gospel at Home (3:18–21)

This section reflects what’s often called a “household code”—a set of instructions Paul gives, not to enforce hierarchy, but to create orderhonor, and Christlike love in everyday family life. Let’s look at each role carefully:

Wives: “Submit… as is fitting in the Lord.”

Submission here is not oppression—it’s voluntary respect offered within a partnership of mutual value. It’s not inferiority—it’s honor. And it’s rooted in Christ’s model of willing surrender.

Husbands: “Love your wives and do not be harsh.”

This is sacrificial, servant-hearted leadership, modeled after Christ’s love for the church (see Ephesians 5). Paul is calling husbands to protect, honor, and uplift their wives—not dominate them.

Children: “Obey… for this pleases the Lord.”

Paul reminds children that obedience isn’t just about parents—it’s an act of worship. Honoring parents is part of honoring Christ.

Fathers: “Do not embitter… or they will become discouraged.”

Paul warns against a harsh or critical spirit that crushes rather than cultivates. Discipline must be balanced with encouragementpresence, and grace.

As a musician, I grew up playing the piano, and then the trumpet, then the flugelhorn, and later the French horn. I love music, and I love orchestras. And the reason is because there’s just something special about a group of individual instruments — that when played as they were designed, and under the direction of the conductor, their sound combines, making the most beautiful music.

In many ways, a healthy home is like a symphony—each member has a different instrument, but when everyone plays their part under Christ’s direction, the result is harmony.

Application: Do your relationships at home reflect the character of Christ? Are you leading with love? Responding with respect? Speaking with kindness?

Don’t treat strangers better than your spouse. Don’t give your best energy to your job and your leftovers to your family. Live out the gospel—right where you live.

Paul now shifts from the home to the workplace—not just how we lead and love—but how we serve and work. Because Christ must also be Lord over our labor.

2. Serve Christ Faithfully in Your Work (3:22–24)

This section addresses slaves and masters—not as an endorsement of slavery, but as a transformative application of the gospel within unjust systems. Paul sows the seeds of dignity, equality, and justice that would eventually overturn slavery across the world.

In today’s context, the closest application is the employee/employer relationship.

Paul says: Don’t just work hard when people are watching.
Work with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.

Why? Because ultimately, you’re working for Jesus.
He’s your boss. Your supervisor. Your reward-giver.

“Whatever you do”—whether washing dishes, designing software, teaching a class, or cleaning floors—do it with all your heart.

In 1957, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said this: “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as Michelangelo painted… or Beethoven composed… He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job well.’”

That’s what Paul is describing. Work with excellence—not because your work is easy, or seen—but because it’s for Christ.

Application: How’s your work ethic when no one’s looking? Do you treat your job like a platform for God’s glory—or just a paycheck?

You may never get an earthly promotion. But God sees. He rewards.
Your workplace is a mission field—and your faithfulness is worship.

Paul closes this section with a final word—not just for workers, but for those in positions of authority. Because how we lead reveals who we believe is in charge.

3. Lead Others with Christlike Justice (4:1)

This is a radical command in Paul’s day. He doesn’t say “be generous” or “be kind.” He says: do what is just and fair. He reminds those with earthly power that they too serve a Master in heaven.

Leadership, in the kingdom of God, is not about control—it’s about stewardship. It’s not about being the boss—it’s about reflecting the heart of Jesus to those under your care.

In ancient Rome, a master had full control over a slave’s life. But Paul says: “You answer to someone higher. You’re not ultimate—Christ is.” This would have turned the Roman social structure upside down.

Application: If you lead others—at work, in ministry, in your home—do you lead like Christ?
With humility, fairness, accountability, and grace?

Don’t just ask, “What can I get from those I lead?” Ask, “How can I serve them for the glory of God?”

Conclusion:

This passage might not seem as lofty as Paul’s earlier theology—but it’s every bit as essential.

Because if Jesus is truly Lord, then He must be Lord everywhere:

In your marriage and parenting…

In your daily grind and office culture…

In your leadership, your language, your relationships…

Your theology must become your lifestyle.
Your confession must shape your conduct.

So today—invite Christ to reign:

Over your home.

Over your work.

Over your attitude and actions.

Over every role you occupy.

Because when you live under His lordship, every role becomes a platform for His glory.

Whatever you do—do it all in His name.

Closing Prayer: