Colossians 4 reminds me of the last-second instructions given to your child as they head off on a trip. No matter their age, every parent wants to remind their kid of the responsibilities and hazards ahead. Today’s lesson is about avoiding reckless driving. The chapter continues a thought from the previous chapter. Paul once again links two roles with mutual accountability. The term translated as “slave” could mean servant, or bondsman. It was unrelated to race, and was sometimes a voluntary transaction. Culturally, it more fitting to substitute “workers, and bosses”. Previously Paul wrote, servants, “obey your earthly masters in everything… with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord”. The emphasis is not obedience, but attitude. When we have reverence for the Lord in our work, we have higher standards. He includes the reciprocal obligation for the boss; “provide your [staff] with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven”. Notice he combines “right” and “fair”. Both are beyond of my own desire. With the recognition that everyone has a boss, Paul urges us to treat even the lowest around us as if the Lord is looking over our shoulder. My attitude, actions, and reactions at work say more about my God than any preaching I can offer. Each of us have a responsibility to represent Christ in our attitude at work. Who is your boss?
In closing his letter, Paul includes several major landmarks for easier navigation. “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful”. Praying for others always changes the way we see them. The encouragement to be watchful implies looking for positives. We tend to find the things we expect to see. A simple word of thanks can become a powerful incentive to encourage folks to do things with excellence. Paul casually notes that he is writing this letter from prison. Notice that he does not ask them to pray that he would be set free, but that God would “open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains”. He asks them to pray that he would “proclaim it clearly”. I think this means more than choosing the right words. We proclaim much through our behavior. Some of us live life with road-rage, complaining, blaming, and cutting people off. The message of Christ is forgiveness and hope. Paul adds, “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders”. “Outsiders” here means those that do not know Christ. People do not experience caring from reading bumper stickers. Friend, how is your driving?
Paul continues, “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt”. Grace does not remove speed limits, and it does not condemn after a ticket. Grace pulls over to offer help. Salt can sometime sting, but it can also make things more palatable. I believe we need to study the map so that we know where we are and where we are going; “That you may know how to answer everyone”. It is hard to guide anyone else when we are lost. Paul closes the letter with personal greetings and public thanks to those that have been at his side serving and ministering. The list includes former slaves, fellow prisoners, Jews, and Greeks. The purpose of the letter was “that you may know about our circumstances and that He may encourage your hearts”. Paul tells them they have been “wrestling in prayer… that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured”. I am encouraged by people that have higher aspirations for me than I have for myself. Paul understood his letters would be passed from church to church. He includes instruction to read it and then “see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans”. Finally, Paul give a final instruction that echoes through the centuries to each church, and each believer, “complete the ministry you have received in the Lord”. My friend, please stay alert and know that others are following you.