Colossians 4:2-18 - Final Instructions and Farewells

Observation:

Paul is writing final instructions  and concluding his letter to the Colossians with specific greetings.  Final instructions address prayer, conduct, speech, and (specifically to Archippus) “see that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”

Interpretation:  

Let’s start with the instruction to Archippus.  I think it can paraphrased thusly:  “Open your eyes, see what service God has called you to, and do it.”  It seems this is applicable to all of us today.  We need to keep our spiritual eyes open to see whatever God is calling us to do, and then OBEY.  And delayed obedience is disobedience.

Now, let’s talk about prayer, conduct, and speech.

Instructions regarding prayer:

❑ Continue in prayer, pray diligently and earnestly, persevere in prayer and wait for His response

❑ Watch in prayer, be vigilant

❑ Pray with thanksgiving, actively look for things to be thankful for

❑ Pray for Paul and Timothy to clearly share the gospel

Instructions regarding conduct:

❑ Conduct yourselves wisely toward outsiders, being generally thoughtful to strangers and not deceived by false teaching

❑ Make the best use of your time, rescuing/redeeming opportunity/ies (to what?  love others, share the good news, other possibilities?)

Instructions regarding speech:

❑ Always be gracious, reflecting the Spirit’s influence on your heart and life to others, with an attitude of thankfulness

❑ Seasoned with salt, both prepared and prudent

❑ Know how you ought to answer each person, tied to wisdom, knowing how and when to speak to others

Application/Conclusion:  

So, now we are all complete and reflecting Jesus perfectly every second, right?  NOT!  I’m so thankful God is patient with me!

We’ve now finished Colossians.  In surveying the lessons God has taught me in this study, I’ve been reminded of the majesty of God, my identity in Christ and that I am to walk in that identity (walk in holiness), to obey Him, and to love (truly LOVE) others.  I cannot walk in holiness without obedience.  I cannot walk in holiness without love for Him and others.  I fail at this so often.  Yet, I am so thankful for His grace, forgiveness, and empowerment to live a holy, loving life!  And so thankful for the love He shows me, especially when I fail!  His grace truly is amazing, astonishing, astounding, extraordinary, incredible, mind-blowing, and wondrous!  Thank You, Abba!

Thank you all for embarking on this journey!  Please feel free to share, either on the wall or in a private message to me (Penney),  what your experience has been like as you’ve studied this book.  What do you see as the overall themes?  What have you learned?  How have you grown?  Continue steadfastly, friends!