The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the GOD'S WORD TRANSLATION; being entitled: PRAY THE SCRIPTURES BIBLE.  The following quotation is taken from this version of the Holy Bible:

"GOD'S WORD Translation ( GW ), produced by God's Word to the Nations Mission Society, fills a need that has remained unmet by English Bibles: to translate the Bible from Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek texts to their closest natural English equivalent.  GW consciously combines scholarly fidelity with natural English.  Because it was translated by a committee of biblical scholars, GW is an accurate, trustworthy translation.  Because of the involvement of English reviewers at every stage of the translation process, GW reads like contemporary literature."  [  See GOD'S WORD TRANSLATION: PRAY THE SCRIPTURES BIBLE, JOHNSON, KEVIN, BETHANY HOUSE PUBLISHERS, Minneapolis, Minnesota, GOD'S WORD, Copyright 1995 by God's Word to the Nations, p. xi.  ]

Although you, the reader, cannot read the words on the cover of this version of the Holy Bible, they are the words of the Lord's prayer ( see Matthew 6:9-13 ), as follows:

"Our Father in heaven, let your name be kept holy.  Let your kingdom come.  Let your will be done on earth as it is done in heaven.  Give us our daily bread today.  Forgive us as we forgive others.  Don't allow us to be tempted.  Instead, rescue us from the evil one."

Concerning this prayer, it is no longer necessary to say, "Let your kingdom come." since the earthly realm of the kingdom of God is the New Testament church ( the church of Christ - see Daniel, chapter 2 ( especially verse 44, for example ), Joel, chapter 2 ( especially verses 28-32, for example ), Matthew 16:18, Acts, chapter 2 ( especially verses 17-21, 38, 41, and 47 ( KJV, for example ), for example ), Romans 16:16, and Ephesians 1:22, 23, for example ).

     Jesus ( see Matthew 5:1 ) said the following in Matthew 5:44:  "But I tell you this: Love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you."  As Christians ( see Acts 11:26, for example ), we are to pray for those who persecute us: we are not to repay evil for evil ( see Romans 12:17; RSV, for example ).  Finally, the apostle Paul ( see 1 Thessalonians 1:1; 2:18; and 5:27, for example ) recorded the following in 1 Thessalonians 5:17:  "Never stop praying."  Please study the Holy Bible ( see 2 Timothy 2:15, for example ).

If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:

<rewillis1_1@juno.com>

<Russell E. Willis>

NOTE:  The concept of a mission society is not authorized in the Holy Bible.  The heavenly Father ( see Matthew 5:9, 16; 6:9, 14, for example ) never commanded that a mission society be established in order to preach the word ( see 2 Timothy 4:2 ( KJV, for example ), for example ), for example.  See also Deuteronomy 4:2, Psalm 22:22, 25; 40:9, 10; 119:13, 65-73, 142, 151, Ecclesiastes 12:13, Matthew 28:18, John 1:1, 14; 3:16, 17; 5:26, 27; 7:16; 8:26; 10:30: 14:6; 17:1, 17, Romans 1:16; 1:20 ( see Romans 1:20 ( KJV, for example; with center-column references, for example ) to get the equivalent translation for the word "Godhead" ), Colossians 2:8, 9, 2 Timothy 3:16, 17, Titus 1:1, 2, James 4:7, 1 John 5:6-8, Revelation 2:10; and 22:18, 19, for example.

     

The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as THEMESSAGE//REMIX: PAUSE: A DAILY READING BIBLE ( THE MESSAGE ).  Colossians 3:22-4:1 read as follows:

"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."

Knowing what the Holy Bible teaches about the master-servant relationship will show us the truth ( see 2 Timothy 3:16, for example ) regarding the proper attitude and conduct in the workplace.

     To begin with, the servant does what his or her master tells him or her to do: the servant does not tell his or her master what to do.  Failure to do this is based either on ignorance, or a lack of respect for authority.  In the context of this passage from the Holy Bible, insubordination ( which indicates a lack of respect for authority ), for example, is a sin ( see Psalm 119:65-73, 1 Timothy 2:1-4 ( especially verse 4, for example ), and 1 John 3:4, for example ).  Titus 2:9 reads as follows:  "Guide slaves into being loyal workers, a bonus to their masters-no back talk, no petty thievery."  A servant who talks back ( "back talk" ) to his or her master may have his or her employment terminated.

     Secondly, a Christian ( see Acts 11:26, for example ) servant will not do just the minimum amount of work possible.  Such a servant will give his or her best effort.  If we all would understand that the ultimate Master we're serving is Christ, then we will work accordingly ( see Ecclesiastes 9:10, for example ).

     Finally, earthly masters must treat their servants considerately, realizing that they have a Master in heaven.  Ephesians 6:9 reads as follows:

"Masters, it's the same with you.  No abuse, please, and no threats.  You and your servants are both under the same Master in heaven.  He makes no distinction between you and them."

Treating others the way you want to be treated applies to the master-servant relationship as well ( see Matthew 7:12, for example ).  See also Psalm 22:22, 25; 40:9, 10; 119:13, 142, 151, Matthew 28:18, John 1:1, 14; 3:16, 17; 5:26, 27; 7:16; 8:26; 10:30; 14:6; 17:17, Romans 1:16; 1:20 ( see Romans 1:20 ( KJV, for example; with center-column references, for example ) to get the equivalent translation for the word "Godhead" ), Colossians 2:8, 9, Titus 1:1, 2, 1 John 5:6-8, and Revelation 2:10, for example.

If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:

<rewillis1_1@juno.com>

<Russell E. Willis>