We Are One Body

Closing the Letter

Colossians 3:1–4 NIV

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

Colossians 3:1-2

As we close out this letter, let us remind our hearts of what Paul points to as the foundation for the writing and hearing of this letter. Since we have been raised with Christ, our hearts can now be set on things above and aour minds can find security in the things of Christ. Since our position has been secured by Christ and is sealed in Christ, our hope remains in Him in spite of our circumstances and situations.

Receiving Our Brothers

Colossians 4:7–9 NIV

Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.

Paul instructs the church in Colosse to receive his messengers in the same manner that he sees and appreciates them. Paul is sending the men of God to them that have been so meaningful to him in his inprisonment. He instructs the church to receive them the same.

Tychicus is a ferocious follower of Christ. He was converted in Asia and became a disciple of Paul. As he matured, Paul sent him on important errands, from taking the Gentile offering to Jerusalem, delivering letters and investing in the churches on behalf of Paul.

Onesimus is a run away slave who meets Paul in prison and devoted His life to Christ. Paul is returning him to Colosse, the town where he was a slave. He reutrns him to his owner, Philemon, not in shame but as a redeemed brother of Christ.

We are called to receive the people of God in the same manner that our Lord receives them. If Christ has redeemed us and raised us in new life in Him, then we are called to welcome one another with the same manner that Christ welcomes us. There should be no obstacles that stand between us. No sin, failures, shames, faults should stand inbetween our desire to embrace one another in the name of Jesus.

It is in this embrace that the gospel continues to flourish and be lived out. The testimony of our embrace of one another proclaims the redemption of the gospel to the world. There are more reasons for us to shy from relationship that there ever will be to embrace. As we run toward each other, the truth of the union that Christ has purchased for us is made real.

When we continue to hold grudges and cling to faults, we deny the rule of Christ. It no longer matters that Christ has died and through his blood raised us from the grave.

Praying for Our Brothers

Colossians 4:10–14 NIV

My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my co-workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings.

Paul moves the people to take notice of their fellow brethren who are spreading the word of the gospel. Aristarchus was a fellow prisoner of the gospel. Mark was a missionary who Paul struggled with in the beginning, but recognized his place int he work of the gospel. Justus is a completed Jew who, like Mark and Aristarchus, have broughten comfort to Paul. Epaphras was the one who started the church in Colosse after having been converted by Paul in Ephesus. Epaphras delivered the news of the church to Paul. Luke and Demas are dear friends of Paul who will be by Paul’s side in his beheading.

Paul mentions these men for the sake of encouraging the church in Colosse that the work of the gospel is spreading. Lives are being changed by faithful followers of Christ proclaiming the turth of Christ. Our hearts are encouraged as we are reminded that the reach of Christ is far greater than our current circumstances.

We Are One Body

Colossians 4:15–18 NIV

Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea. Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.” I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

Paul directs the church in Colosse to see that they are one church in the whole of the body. In other words, Paul reminds the church that their is no competition in the body of Christ. We are all one body with the same head leading us all to the same goal.

We are all working toward the same goal and we all have the same head leading us toward that goal. Christ is not in competition with himself and neither should we be in competition with one another. This applies to us as churches and as individuals.

We do not seek to gain from other bodies for the sake of building ourselves up. Our aim is to see the kingdom as a whole grow. If the only church growth occuring is a “shuffling of the deck,” we are failing in our mission. If Christ is leading and desires to move the resources of His kingdom to fit the needs of his goal, praise God for His faithfulness to His plan. Our aim though is to use the resources that Christ has given us for the sake of His mission, making disciples of Christ.

As individuals, there should not be competition between us. Competition breeds self-glorification. Christ alone recieves the glory. When great work is done, we all should rejoice because Christ’s kingdom is growing. The work of Christ becomes stunted when we pursue credit, recognition and “what is due” to us based on our titles, acts, and gifts. These pursuits once again deny the work of Christ in our lives. We have been raised and made new in Him. He alone is deserving of the credit and the praise.

Do I seek credit, recognition and what is due for my position, acts and gifts in the church? When was the last time that I let someone else receive the praise for something that I did?