[:en]SCRIPTURE: COLOSSIANS 4
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful” (Colossians 4:2)
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:5-6)
In this last chapter, Paul gave three instructions:
- Devote yourselves to prayer being watchful and thankful – Christ teaches us to “watch and pray” so that we can overcome temptations. When Nehemiah was building the walls, they prayed and set a watch. We should watch and pray for opportunities to witness and serve God. We should pray for open doors to have His message proclaimed. We should pray for missionaries the wisdom to win more people to Christ.
- Be wise in your actions towards outsiders – Live wisely and walk honorably so that unsaved people can not find things to criticize. Our speech must be full of grace and seasoned with salt. Do not allow thoughtless words, questionable remarks or angry words to tear down Christian testimony. Be courteous and repectful so that they will be willing to listen and accept the message of gospel.
- Make the most of very opportunity – Seize every opportunity to witness for the Lord and win others to Christ. Be alert to serve God wholeheartedly.
In closing, Paul mentioned about his fellow workers who had assisted him in his ministry:
- Tychicus – He labored with Paul at Ephesus for 3 years and carried Paul’s letters to the Colossians and the Ephesians.
- Onesimus – He was a runaway slave of Philemon and converted by Paul to become a Christian. Paul sent him back to Colossae with a letter to Philemon.
- Aristachus – He was singled out as a leading Christian during the Ephesian riot (Acts 19:29). He accompanied Paul (Acts 20:4) and was with him during that terrible storm enroute to Rome (Acts 21:2). He “stick by” Paul through thick and thin and was a faithful and loyal companion of Paul.
- Marcus – was John Mark, cousin of Barnabas. He had left Paul to return to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13) and when Barnabas wanted to take Mark back later, Paul disagreed. So Barnabas parted with Paul and took Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus (Acts 15:36-41). However, when Paul wrote his last letter, he admitted that Mark was “profitable” in the ministry (2Tim. 4:11)
- Jesus (Justus) – He was a Jewish believer who worked with Paul and gave him comfort and encouragement when Paul was in prison
- Epaphras – He was the founder of the church at Colossae. He was a prayer warrior. He prayed that the Colossians might become mature and live in fullness for Christ.
- Luke – He was a Gentile physician wrote the books of Luke and Acts. He was with Paul when Demas had forsaken Paul. (2 Tim. 4:11)
Paul also sent greetings to some of the saints in Laodicea, Hierapolis and Nympha. He also told Archippus to complete his ministry in the Lord.
LESSONS:
Be alert and persistent. Never grow tired of praying. If your prayer is not answered, do not lost hope. God’s delay is not His denial. He is working out His way in His time.
Be wise in your inter-relationship with non-Christians. Be gracious and courteous in your speech. Make the most opportunity to tell the unbelievers about the good news.
Paul did not forget about his co-workers who had labored with him. We should also remember to acknowledge people who have helped us, taught us, encouraged us and comforted us in our walk with the Lord.[:]