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I. THE SPHERE OF LABOUR TO WHICH THESE WORDS REFER. There can be nothing more prejudicial to a truly religious life than the supposition that there is any sphere into which we are not to carry our religion, and where the eye of the Master takes no cognizance of the deeds that are done. "Holiness unto the Lord must be written upon the bells of the horses." We must give an account of all the things done in the body. Every province of our life belongs to the kingdom of Christ.

1. The servant or workman has another Master besides the human master that he serves, and all his secular work is done to Christ (Colossians 3:22). The workman then, as such, is a servant of Christ.

2. The master, too, has a Master as well as the workman, to whom he shall have to render an account of the deeds done in the body (Colossians 4:1).

3. This sphere of labour also embraces trade and commerce.

4. Kings and subjects, as such, are also to serve Christ.

5. Our sphere of labour also embraces all the relationships of life which we sustain, and the works of benevolence to which we are called. The love of parents for their children and of children for their parents is service rendered to God.

6. I need scarcely add that this sphere embraces what we are accustomed specially to call religious life and work. We are to labour in prayer and self-culture; to keep our hearts with all diligence and our bodies under subjection: this requires self-denial and toil. We are to strive daily to grow in grace.

II. THE MOTIVE BY WHICH WE ARE TO RE INFLUENCED AND ANIMATED IN OUR WORK, "that we may be accepted of Him." It was this that stimulated the apostle's heart and strengthened his hands and fired his zeal.

1. This will make our work pleasant. How much pleasanter the ordinary duties of life would become if we could feel that in doing them we serve Christ!

2. We shall also enjoy the presence and favour of Christ. The man who serves Christ in everything will find Christ in everything.

3. Service done from this motive will at length receive its full reward.

1. Let us learn, then, from this subject that religion enters into every department of human life. There is nothing secular in the sense that it is not also sacred.

2. How diligent and conscientious this should make us in the discharge of every duty! He sees us, He examines us, He rewards us.

(A. Clark.)

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KJV: Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

WEB: Therefore also we make it our aim, whether at home or absent, to be well pleasing to him.