Reimagining Relationships A Study of Colossians 3:18 4:1 on the Daily Bible Refresh.

Hello my friend Dr. Brad Miller here with the Daily Bible Refresh.

This is your daily reading of the Bible from a progressive point of view.

In a bit I will read the New Testament lessons selected from the Revised Common Lectionary for this very day.

The reading is understandable.

I use the Message version Relatable.

Please listen to the points to ponder and applicable with action steps you can take.

We pray and are done in less than 10 minutes.

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Here's today's reading the reading from Colossians.

3:18 through 4:1 reading from the Message Wives, understand and support your husbands by submitting to them in ways that honor the master.

Husbands, go out in love for your wives.

Don't take advantage of them.

Children, do what your parents tell you.

This delights the master no end.

Parents, don't come down too hard on.

Your children or you'll crush their spirits.

Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters and don't just do the minimum that will get you by.

Do your best work from the heart for your real master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance.

Keep in mind always that the ultimate master you're serving is Christ.

The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible.

Being a follower of Jesus doesn't cover up bad work.

And masters, treat your servants considerately.

Be fair with them.

Don't forget for a minute that you too serve a master, God in heaven.

Well, in this passage, we're examining kind of a complicated passage of Scripture, but it really gives us an opportunity to explore how we might be more just and loving in all of our relationships, particularly in our contemporary context.

Let's consider these points to ponder.

Let's start with a historical context.

Not an end point as a starting point, not an end point.

This passage reflects the social structures of its time.

This is a patriarchal, slaveholding society, and rather than taking these hierarchical relationships as prescriptive, we could see how the early Christian community was already beginning to subvert power dynamics by calling those in positions of power to act with love, fairness and consideration.

This invites us to continue the work of dismantling unjust power structures in our own time.

A second point is about the radical ethics of mutual respect.

While written within a hierarchical framework, the text consistently emphasizes mutual responsibility and respect.

Each relationship dynamic includes obligations for both parties, suggesting an early seed of egalitarian thinking.

Today, this calls for us to examine how we can build truly equitable relationships in our families, workplaces and communities.

Another point to ponder is divine justice as a model for human relations.

This passage repeatedly points to God as the ultimate authority, suggesting that earthly power structures are temporary and subject to divine justice.

This reminds us that any human system that perpetuates inequality or oppression and stands in tension with the vision of God's inclusive love and justice.

Here's your action step.

Examine the power dynamics in your own relationships, all of them home work in your community.

Where do you hold power or where do you lack power and how might you use your power justly?

Where do you experience powerlessness and what would be would be like to be treated more equitably?

What would that look like?

Think about this.

Perhaps journal about it or think about a strategy how you can work towards a more mutual relationship in all these areas of your life.

We'll have a closing prayer here in just a second.

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Let's pray.

Oh God, you are the source of love and justice.

We acknowledge the complexity of human relationships and our own participation in systems of power and privilege.

Help us imagine and create new ways of being together that reflect your dream of mutual respect and care.

Give us courage to challenge inequality where we see it, wisdom to use our own power with justice and love and hope for the continued evolution of the human community.

Guide us towards relationships that honor the sacred worth of every person.

In determination and humility we pray.

Amen.

My friend, I am delighted you chose to join me for today's reading.

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My name is Dr. Brad Miller and I'll be right here tomorrow with your Daily Bible Refresh.

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Remember, God's loyal love doesn't run out.

His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.