5...He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,6whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,7that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Now, recognizing that is who we are inside, we are called to live that out, according to verses 8 and 9:8This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.9But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.
We have the opportunity each day to walk in the presence of the Lord and to project to those around us the manifestation of Jesus alive in us. On the job, the way we regard our work and how we respond to challenges can say a lot about our walk with Him. How we relate to others is a product, the fruit, if you will, of how we relate to Christ. It's important to be careful each day to abide in Christ and to allow His love and His Spirit to guide our actions, so that we make Him known.
In Colossians chapter 3, we see some principles that can be applied in the workplace, as we are called, in all situations, to display to character of Jesus Christ:22Bondservants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God.23And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,24knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.
New research from a psychologist at the Health and Safety Laboratory in Stockport in England has found that employees who are religious are healthier and take fewer sick days. According to a piece on The Daily Mail website, Dr. Roxane Gervais discovered that those who are religious are less likely they are to suffer from anxiety, depression or exhaustion and feel their lives have more meaning than those who are not religious. It says that "experts believe this could be because spirituality offers a ‘buffer against strains’ of modern life."
Dr. Gervais surveyed workers in a bid to discover how happy they are in their home and working lives.
She found those who attend religious services feel more content within themselves and that they feel connected to a higher being. She told The Telegraph: "As the pace of work and life accelerates, people long for meaning, and the younger generation in particular is looking for more than just a big pay cheque at the end of the month."
‘My research shows that religiosity in the workplace may act as a resource, making people more resilient to cope with the many challenges of working life.
‘Such personal beliefs could be very helpful not only for employees, but also for employers providing people with a buffer zone.’
As a result, Gervais says employers should be encouraged to be understanding and supportive of their employees’ beliefs. I think this is an important concept, because throughout the years, we hear of instances where people who have desired to practice their faith in the workplace have been met with restrictions. And, I admit, we should never allow the expression of our Christianity to be a distraction in the way we do our job and the way we relate to other employees. Interestingly enough, there have been attempts in Congress for years to pass a Workplace Religious Freedom Act, but the bill has yet to pass both chambers. Conversely, the Employment Non-Discrimination Act, which would place troubling measures on employers, including people of faith, to accommodate those who embrace the homosexual lifestyle, has yet to pass Congress, either. It is a troubling matter to force religious people to accept behavior that is contrary to their conscience rights.
As this research shows, and I believe it consistent with the Scriptures, people who practice their faith essentially have the potential to be more healthy, less stressed, and better equipped to deal with the pressures of the workplace. Sounds like a model employee to me. And, the peace that we project can provide an opportunity for us to testify, in a winning manner, to the presence of the risen Christ within us.
The research comes just after it was revealed in a study from Columbia University that people who have a spiritual side have a 'thicker' section of brain tissue than those who do not. The research also suggested that this thickening of the brain’s cortex could help to stave off depression. The study authors believe this could suggest being religious changes the structure of the brain in a way which reduces depression risk.
I do believe that we have the right to practice our faith in front of our fellow employees. In the work environment, we do have to be very sensitive to the Holy Spirit as He directs us in how we relate to other people. I don't think that we should be completely silent about our relationship with the Lord, but we also have to make sure that our behavior overall is consistent with our identity in Christ.
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