Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Colossians 4
This is the last chapter in this short but powerful letter from Paul. We've had some good discussions going on for the last 3 chapters, and hopefully we can finish this book strong. I've definitely seen more of the depths and riches in the book of Colossians since we stated this study. I hope others have as well.
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Paul refers to a lot of people and a lot of places in this short chapter. This is a good example of the need for Christian fellowship. Paul makes several comments like "my dear brother" and "my fellow servant". So Paul not only sees the need and benefit to stay connected to the believers that are present with him, but also to the people that are far away. His encouragement and prayers are for all the believers in his life, not just those he is able to see. We see evidence of this in all the letters he writes in the New Testament. So if you're like me and tend to become disconnected from the people at "your old church", you should use Paul's example of encouragement, and make that connection again...
Paul had a concern for the brothers at Laodicea and the church of the Laodiceans (Vs. 15-16). He wanted to make sure they read this letter he was writting to the Colossae church as well (vs 16). Unfortunately we find that this letter was not effective enough in it's encouragement to Laodicea. In Revelations 3:14-18 we see that this church fell short of the passion that God desires for a Christ centered church. Check out these descriptions:
I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot (Rev. 3:15)
You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' (Rev. 3:17)
That sounds a lot like the Christian churches in America...if so, what could we learn from scripture?
God says...
Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent.(Rev. 3:19)
If we are lukewarm like the church in Laodicea, and if God loves this country like I assume he does, then perhaps we too will be rebuked and disciplined...so in turn we should be earnest (passionate about Christ)and repent.
My version of Col. 4:
Paul is requesting prayer for doors to be open to spread the gospel.
Even Paul seemed to struggle with clarity of trying to come across to others what he knows. Christians should be devoted to a prayer life - 1st for ourselves with Thanksgiving and for wisdom and for our brothers and sisters in Christ for doors to be open. We should get to know others in a way that we can respond to each individual where they are.
We are not to get caught up in the lifestyles of non-Christians but we should develop relationships with them to know how to minister to them with wisdom and with salt so that they can see Jesus in us and desire what we have.
We have been shown grace and we are called to show grace to others. Our agendas do not count if we are to be bondservants of Jesus. We as Christians, not only back in the days of Paul, but today especially with the way things are. Paul speaks of the Laodicea church (the Lukewarm church). I wonder if the church today truly reflects the description of who we are in Christ. When Jesus went to sit at the right hand of God, He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within us to be able to do the Fathers Will with power (to do even greater things than Jesus did while on earth). Jesus' ministry was so short lived but we were left with everything we need to walk in power, love, grace and mercy. Are we using our giftings that have been given to us or are we merely Lukewarm?
the first few verses of this chapter reminded me of a story. As a relatively new believer I was gifted with some great friends who were passionately pursuing Christ. Naturally when we got together, Jesus was the focus of our conversation. Don K, is one of those friends. I'd often drive to his shop where we would get swept away into discussions that were at once captured by Christ and gut-level real and honest. Don shared a building with another guy named Mike. Mike was not a believer...at least yet. After several months of eavesdropping on these conversations Mike decided to seek out my pastor at the time to ask him about what was going on with Don and I. (I guess he figured he'd better ask a professional Christian. Turns out, must've been a good plan) Pastor Charles led him to Jesus. I love it when that happens!
Revonda said.."He sent the Holy Spirit to dwell within us to be able to do the Father's will with power (to do even greater things than Jesus did while on earth)."
Can we do greater things than Jesus?...can we feed Five thousand people?...or four thousand?..heal the sick?...or the crippled?...raise the dead?..or just have God say to us, " with you I am well pleased."
Most people would say "No" to anyone else being able to perform any of these miracles, let alone all of them and more. But in John 14:12 Jesus says, "I tell you the truth, anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father."
I think the key word in what Jesus is saying is "Faith". Without faith it is impossible to please God. (that sounds like a Bible verse). But I think there are different degrees of faith. Imagine what a person's actions would be like if Jesus was literally, physically by their side through the whole day. From morning until night Jesus walked, talked, and shared with this person. Would the actions of this person be different than if he or she were alone? Of course. Selfishness, profanity, anger, lust, laziness, and jealousy would be replaced with love, compassion, service, prayer, and God honoring activities. After all, if God is with you then you will act accordingly, at least more accordingly than normal. Kinda like driving when a cop is behind you. Well those actions represent a degree of faith. The more faith, the more God honoring the actions will be. After all, Jesus is walking with us daily, and it's our faith that allows us to "see" Him or not.
So are we working with the "Power" of the Holy Spirit? Are we impacting God's kingdom positively and helping to destroy the works of Satan? If not then maybe it's because our "faith" isn't what it should be.
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