Colossians 4
Colossians 4:1-18
1 Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving;
3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains,
4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time.
6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
7 Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me.
8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts,
9 with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.
10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him),
11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
13 For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis.
14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you.
15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house.
16 Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
17 And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”
18 This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.
With those growing in their relationship with the Father, there will be corresponding bonding in their relationship with anyone else encountered. It’s not enough to just recede into a personal “connection,” as every interaction directly reflects an awareness of the Master and His passion and purpose for them. Prayer will not just be self-focused but kingdom-driven, considering how greatly we’ve already been provided for and how significant each part is in fulfilling the will of God in the church. While communication with the Father is essential to our strength and growing maturity, so is expressed communication with each other. Sharing needs and encouragement is an integral part of a body that is fulfilling the heart of Jesus in its unity together in Him. Gratefully, Paul’s example of this has provided for the revelation and guidance that is still ours today from His faithfulness to model it. There is no such thing as unexpressed gratitude, and failure to provide substance in honor is to dishonor. The power and ability that is so necessary for living as overcomers is directly related to the supply that is received and returned in simple but faithfully expressed greetings in love. The perfection that is possible in others becomes the responsibility in prayer and correspondence for those who are maturing parts of Christ’s body. As we have been enabled by other’s efforts, so we now make our contribution to the development and fulfilled purpose of those we can influence.