Christian living starts at home

In the final part of his study of the book of Colossians, the Very Rev Dr Martin Fair explains why Christian life begins with those closest.

THERE’S a healthy space to be inhabited which lies somewhere between an overly literal reading of scripture and one which abandons any sense that the words might mean what they say. But healthy as such a place might be, finding it is rarely straightforward.

When it comes to the last part of Colossians 3:18-25 – finding that middle ground is important. If we tell ourselves that these words are meaningless because the world has changed then we’re well on our way to an ‘abridged version’ of the Bible – one that we filter to suit ourselves. But if, on the other hand, we refuse to acknowledge contextual issues at all then we’re left reading passages from a time in which, for example, slave-ownership was the norm and which, therefore, are hopelessly removed from our own experience. Neither extreme will do.

If we are able to navigate our way through unhelpful extremes then we discover here a wonderful passage of scripture – and that because it’s so thoroughly mundane! Some of us are drawn to those passages which soar to heavenly places – such as the opening parts of Ephesians. In these, we can be caught up in ecstatic vision and find ourselves soaring with angelic hosts.

All good – but never if the result is escape from the reality of the day-to-day Christian living to which we’re each called. Our writer won’t allow that.

And that day-to-day living begins with how we are with those who are closest to us. Sorry if that sounds a bit dull but that’s where the adventure of Christian living starts.

There are some horror stories of people who were seen as fine, upstanding members of society – perhaps even Kirk elders – when all the while they were abusive tyrants behind their own front doors. The Bible insists that Christian living starts at home and is every bit as important as how we are in public.

Talking of abusive tyranny in the home, how much of that has been justified by a poor understanding of v18: ‘Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.’ The one thing we can say with absolute certainty is that ‘fitting in the Lord’ is a million miles away from manipulation, physical abuse, psychological torment… anything in fact which isn’t love.

Perhaps the most noteworthy aspect of these sets of instructions is that they place obligations and responsibilities on both sides. If something is expected of wives then something is expected of husbands. Similarly, if there are expectations placed upon children then the same is true of parents. No one, in other words, gets a free pass. Relationships flourish when one gives every bit as much as one receives.

But what about the relationships described here between slaves and their masters? We can either ignore these verses as not relevant or we can look to extract the principles and apply them to labour relations as we more ordinarily experience them today.

If we do that then those of us who are employees can say to ourselves: ‘Whatever I do I’m going to give it my all and I’m going to do that whether I’m being scrutinised or not.’ Isn’t there something relevant there for these ‘working from home’ days?

And perhaps there’s something here about vocation. We tend to restrict such talk to paid ministry but when you look at what you do at work as ‘working for the Lord’ then suddenly whatever you do becomes a form of service.

How can you honour these verses in how you relate to those around you?

The Very Rev Dr Martin Fair is minister at Arbroath: St Andrew’s