I started reading Colossians 1 & 2 yesterday. Today I read Colossians 3 & 4. One thing in particular stood out to me while studying Colossians 4…Here goes I will try to explain!
Colossians 4:18 this is what Paul said, “I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.
Remember my chains. Grace be with you.”
I am still trying to think through the part where he informs us that he wrote the letter with his own hands, I guess he wants the people that read the letter to know how important it is to him, that he would write it himself, versus having someone else write it? I am still wondering the significance of that statement (if any).
What stood out more to me was “Remember My Chains.”
In verse 3, Paul says, “And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.”
Now my outlook on this may be so elementary compared to all of the Christian big wigs. I am not a theologian, heck I don’t even have a seminary degree which many look down on, I guess God cannot speak to me as clearly as he would if I had a piece of paper…anyway, this is what I took away from this chapter because of Paul’s statement:
- I believe Paul saw his chains and his imprisonment as an avenue to a new opportunity to share the Good News of Christ. His request, in verse 3, was for the people to pray that God would open a door for their message.
- When Paul says, “Remember My Chains.” I feel as if he is telling me to remember his example. He viewed his suffering as an opportunity to share the Good News. It’s almost as if he is telling the people of Colosse, if I can do it, you can do it…remember that!
- Do we do as Paul did? Do we take the situations that we are facing in our personal life, whether it is a positive situation or a struggle and see how we can share the Good News through it? Do we ask God to open a door during that time so we can share our message or our story? Paul had several stories that he could tell. My father-in-law has a story for just about every thing that has taken place in his life. I can only imagine the stories that Paul had, but his desire was to share Christ through that story and through that message. I think Paul is saying to remember his chains, so that no matter what comes our way, whether sickness, death, torture, or loss we can find the strength and the ability to ask God to provide an opportunity to share Christ. I know this is easier said than done, in fact this is speaking to me, if anyone, I am not acting as if I have this down, because I don’t, but I share it because it did speak to me and I thought others may get something as well.
What Chains have you faced in life? Even though you may be free from the bondage, are you using those times of suffering to share Christ, and the chains he endured for all of mankind. Maybe you are chained up as you read this? Can you find the strength as Paul did to ask God to open a door through your suffering, for his honor and his glory? It kind of makes us realize that it truly is all about him…not us!
Nick
