As Paul wraps up his letter to the Colossians he circles back to a few important themes from earlier in the book: Prayer, Thankfulness, Mystery. Here’s Colossians 4.2-18:
Paul’s parting words are a call to the Colossians to live into their life in Christ. This means devoting themselves to prayer, being vigilant in their faith journeys as well as having a mindset of gratitude. As Paul has prayed for the Colossians, Paul now asks them to pray for him and his coworkers as they wait for God to open a door for their message even while Paul is in prison.
Paul’s driven nature is quite something. Even in prison he wants to proclaim the mystery of Jesus. But, and this is important, as much as Paul is often seen as a dive in head first, petal to the metal kind of guy, he moves when God moves. Paul is always listening for God’s direction on his life and where God is opening or closing doors. Sure, he has ideas of where he wants to go, and how he wants to do things, but Paul is receptive to the Spirit changing things at a moment’s notice.
This is how Paul is able to make the most of every opportunity, because he is constantly discerning the work of the Spirit. And so he desires that the Colossians would likewise make the most of each opportunity, especially among outsiders as they proclaim and preach the gospel. And although they will be proclaiming the truth and mystery of Christ, it is a conversation steeped in grace.
The rest of the letter then reads as Paul’s personal comments and connections. To be honest, I often skip these sections of Paul’s letters, but they also give us a window into Paul’s world, and how he related with people.
As we continue to live in the midst of a pandemic and are separated from people, may the close of Colossians remind us of how just like in Paul’s day we are in this together. Paul, while in prison, is binding the church in Colossians, a church he neither started, nor visited, with the people closest to him. He is reminding this newer church that they are not alone and that the people he works with care about them, pray for them, and join them in the mission of proclaiming Jesus. Paul writes and works not for them alone, but for the churches around them, in Laodicea and elsewhere.
The body of Christ is more than just a church in one location, but the tangible places where the kingdom of God is breaking into the world, both in Colossae and Laodicea in the 1st century, and here at Lockport, and all across the globe in the 21st century.
Here is a hymn for our prayer today from “Trust and Obey”
When we walk with the Lord in the light of his word,
what a glory he sheds on our way!
While we do his good will, he abides with us still,
and with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy with Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Not a burden we bear, not a sorrow we share,
but our toil he doth richly repay.
Not a grief nor a loss, not a frown nor a cross,
but is bless’d if we trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy with Jesus, but to trust and obey.
But we never can prove the delights of his love,
until all on the altar we lay,
for the favor he shows, and the joy he bestows,
are for them who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy with Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Then in fellowship sweet we will sit at his feet,
or we’ll walk by his side in the way.
What he says we will do, where he sends we will go,
never fear, only trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
to be happy with Jesus, but to trust and obey.
Grace and peace to you, Amen.