In today’s New Testament reading there is a thread running through the closing scriptures of the book of Colossians. I read a different version of the One Year Bible every year. Let me share these scriptures with you from the NIV and then comment:
Colossians 3:23 – “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…”
Colossians 4:2 – “Devote yourselves to prayer…”
Colossians 4:12,13 – “Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Jesus Christ, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you… he is working hard for you…”
Colossians 4:17 – “Tell Archippus, ‘See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord.”
The theme of Paul’s closing words is work and prayer. The work that we do and the prayer that we offer should leave nothing on the table. It is to be done with all our heart. Being devoted to prayer means to pray continually and diligently. Epaphras is mentioned as “wrestling” in prayer on behalf of others. This means to struggle and contend in prayer. Did you know you could do that on someone else’s behalf? Epaphras was wrestling in prayer that the Philippians might stand firm in the will of God and that they also might become mature in their faith and walk with God. Do you know someone who needs assurance in the will of God and needs to grow in his or her walk with God? Hit the carpet and begin wrestling. Pray against the obstacles hindering growth and understanding. Pray for enlightenment and revelation and maturity.
In Colossians 4:17 Archippus had received a “diakonia.” This is where we get our English word “deacon.” There was a service he was to render to the body of Christ and apparently he was not fulfilling it. Paul’s challenge to him was to complete the work, and taken with the other verses mentioned, do it with all your heart. Friends, God’s kingdom deserves nothing less than hard work and hard prayer. Let’s go on with it!