with Elder Elico Manenji
✝️In this chapter, the Apostle concerns.more on the duty masters to their servants and he pleads with the Church to continue in prayer , supplications, thanksgiving and watchfulness, praying always of the success of the gospel ministry. They were to watch how they walk and interact with unbelievers as to win them to Christ and not repel them away from the gospel, redeeming the times because the days are evil. Then the Apostle refered them to Tychius whom he sends to them and Onesimus who was one of them but had ran away from his master and was with Paul who was about to send him back. Then he gives salutation from those who were with him in Rome as he encourages them to read the letter he wrote to the Laodiceans as they to send this letter to them. He salutes the church which was in the house of Nymphas and Archippus relative of Barnabad and companion in the ministry.
1️⃣Colossians 4:1-6:Masters, servants and duty to prayer and watchfulness.
⏹️Slavery is an involuntary service and the Apostle teaches masters that both they and their servants were redeemed by the same blood of Christ. So they were to treat their servants as equals, furnishing them with adequate remuneration for what he had worked for. The Lord says, "You shall not defraud your neighbor, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with you all night until the morning"(Leviticus 19:13).
"You shall not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy, whether he be of your brothers, or of your strangers that are in your land within your gates: At his day you shall give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down on it; for he is poor, and sets his heart on it: lest he cry against you to the LORD, and it be sin to you"( Deuteronomy 24:14-15).
⏭️ All mankind are slaves to sin whether they be rich or poor, free or bond, male or female, Jew or Gentiles, all have been freed from sin by Jesus Christ to receive the redemption and the gift of eternal life. As Christ restores us to Himself as free man, the Apostle also intends that slaves should be restored to freedom justice and equality. This same principle applies today to employers and employees, they should treat each other as equals, with fairness and justice, knowing that all are redeemed by the blood of Christ. The Apostle says, *"But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, worked in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead....For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me"(Romans 7:8, 11).
⏹️For any soldier to win a war, they should be vigilant, watchful so are they which are on Christ, they should watch unto prayer, preach the gospel in favourable and unfavourable conditions , exhorting one another with thanksgiving. The Apostle says, " A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behavior, given to hospitality, apt to teach"(1 Timothy 3:2).
The Apostle Peter says, "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about, seeking whom he may devour"(1 Peter 5:8).
2️⃣Colossians 4:7-18: Greetings, salutations and encouragement in the ministry.
⏹️True Christian friendship will show interest in those whom you are associated with, especially of the household of faith. The Apostle says, "As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good to all men, especially to them who are of the household of faith"(Galatians 6:10).
⏭️Ministers should treat each other as beloved brother, knowing that they all are fellow servants with them that work with them to advance the gospel, not as masters for we all have one Master-Jesus Christ. Ministers should be faithful servants, trusted helpers not bosses who overburden others because of the office or title they represent. The Apostle says, "Therefore, my beloved brothers, be you steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord"(1 Corinthians 15:58).
⏹️If we live according to the requirements of the gospel, it will be easy for Christianity to be understood more by those who are not of the faith and they will gladly accept our mission and ministry. The Apostle says, "For we stretch not ourselves beyond our measure, as though we reached not to you: for we are come as far as to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ"(2 Corinthians 10:14)
⏭️Christians should love one another as Christ loved the Church. Christians should have a great respect for one another, a marvellous respect, an official respect that unifies and not repels others away from believing and faith. Science say unlike poles attract but in religion it is the opposite likes attract each other. Jesus said, "A new commandment I give to you, That you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if you have love one to another"(John 13:34-35).
*🅰️Appeal*
The ministry of Christ, we have received is a great honour in the Lord as it is by appointment and not by command. As we have received it, we must fulfil it, obey it and do the full duty of its requirements. Those who betray the trust of this ministry will have a sad account at last especially those who do this work of the Lord negligently. It is the duty of believers to put their ministers in mind of their duty, pray for them so they are not deceived, pray that they take heed of the ministry with decency and respect and not from pride and conceit. The wiseman says, "Pride goes before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall"(Pro 16:18).
"A man's pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit"(Proverbs 29:23). Amen!!!
Elico Manenji
(+263712952704)
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