Devotional: Colossians 4:7-18
Reflection
- (Col 4:7 ESV) Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.
- (Col 4:8 ESV) I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts,
- (Col 4:9 ESV) and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.
- (Col 4:10 ESV) Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions–if he comes to you, welcome him),
- (Col 4:11 ESV) and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.
- (Col 4:12 ESV) Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.
- (Col 4:13 ESV) For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.
- (Col 4:14 ESV) Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas.
- (Col 4:15 ESV) Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.
- (Col 4:16 ESV) And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea.
- (Col 4:17 ESV) And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”
- (Col 4:18 ESV) I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
Discussion
Calling is a touchy subject in the church. It should not be, but it is often criticized to say that God calls us to salvation. Each and every believer is called by God to a work He has willed for them. We are called in the moment of salvation to come and we are called from there on to continue. Without that divine calling we are lost sheep without a shepherd. Without His drawing us in we are left to wander in a lost and fallen world. Praise be to God that He would call us, save us, and set us on a new course.
Connection
Recount your conversion to Christ. How did He call you to Himself?Share that with someone this week.
Expansion
Salvation and Preservation
God saves people by their faith in Him alone according to His grace alone through the redemptive work of Jesus Christ alone, not on the basis of any human work. All of the redeemed are immediately indwelt by the Holy Spirit and justified before God beginning the transforming sanctification of the whole person the fruit of which is shown by their attitude and conduct. Having been saved by faith, we are justified in Christ before God, forgiven of our sins, and held eternally secure by Christ alone forever where we will one day assume a glorified condition with Him forever. From beginning to end the salvation of people is entirely a work of God to bring glory to His name.
Acts 8:27-30, Ephesians 1:3-14, Ephesians 2:1-10, 2 Timothy 1:8-9, 2 Timothy 2:24-26, John 1:12-13, Romans 6:16-18, Romans 9:10-24, John 6:43-45, 1 Timothy 2:3-4, Ezra 18:23, Romans 10:10-21, 2 Peter 3:9, John 12:32, Romans 14:10-12