Colossians 4:1 NLT
[1] “Masters, be just and fair to your slaves. Remember that YOU ALSO HAVE A MASTER —in heaven.”

This short verse is a summary of what Paul has already fleshed out in his counsel to masters/employers in his letter to the Ephesians.

Ephesians 6:9 NLT
[9]”Masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Don’t threaten them; remember, you both have the same Master in heaven, and he has no favorites.”

“In the same way”? To what “way” is Paul referring?

Ephesians 6:5-8 NLT
[5] “Slaves, obey your earthly masters with deep respect and fear. Serve them sincerely AS YOU WOULD SERVE CHRIST. [6] Try to please them all the time, not just when they are watching you. AS SLAVES OF CHRIST, do the will of God with all your heart. [7] Work with enthusiasm, as though you were WORKING FOR THE LORD rather than for people. [8] Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.”

Perhaps he is talking about the foundation of the relationships between masters and slaves, employers and employees. Both are, first, SERVANTS OF JESUS and obligated to live under His authority and to follow His example.

This fact influences both perspective and attitudes to one another. If the spiritual eyes of both masters and servants are on Jesus first, a new perspective and attitude regulate their behaviour. Slaves will see their obedience AS TO JESUS, not to volitile human behaviour. No matter what demands a master/employer may make, “Just do it!” without resistance.

There is something even more significant about the role of masters /employers in this work environment. Power! Masters have power to enforce their instructions if the slave/employee resists. It’s this aspect that Paul specifically addresses to masters because it’s power that creates bitterness and resentment in the hearts of the abused.

God gives power to those in authority, but it’s power to benefit, not harm those under them. Authority and power go together. Just as Jesus used His power to bless and lift up the downtrodden, so masters must use their power to respect and honour the dignity and humanity of slaves.

The trouble is that, so often in the modern workplace, because resistance is condoned, even encouraged, workplaces become war zones. As in the family, so in society, when those under authority resist authority, chaos erupts.

Once again, peace is the goal, and peace is only possible when God’s order is obeyed. So, unruly hearts must come willingly under Jesus’ authority for the sake of the harmony God requires on all levels of human life, and those who wield power must do so under restraint and for the good of underlings.

This takes us back full circle to the power and possibility of harmony in place of clashes in every area of human interaction. God’s inner peace, monitoring our attitudes and behaviour, is the only way to keep us on track in the home, the workplace, and in the church, the home of God’s family. CHRIST IN YOU, THE HOPE OF GLORY! This is the guarantee that the end result will be just what God planned…

Romans 8:29 NLT
[29]”For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters.”

Since Christ-likeness is God’s purpose and goal for all His chosen ones, whoever we are and whatever we do, submission to Jesus as Lord is our priority.