Famous Last Words
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 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. 4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. – Colossians 4:2-6
The thing that amazes me most about Paul was the fact that he was writing these encouraging words to the Colossian church while in prison. Chained to a wall in what some would consider an inhumane environment. By today’s standards that prison would be investigated by news reporters as a torture chamber of sorts, no working restroom, unsanitary food, the smell would be enough to make you sick to your stomach just walking close by. In the midst of all that Paul had these encouraging words to say.
Lets look at our lives and lets be perfectly honest. Compared to Paul’s situation we have it made. We are not in chains and yet we complain when someone doesn’t look at us with approving eyes, or we get mad if our meal at the restaurant is not cooked to perfection. We are spoiled brats at times. Paul had a conversion experience that changed his heart and this same experience needs to happen in our hearts that we look at our lives as an offering to others. When you do that you begin to see the best in others because you are not looking down on anyone because the love of God is working in your heart.
Jesus’ greatest message was the Sermon on the Mount. He layed out the plan for serving others in love. In doing so you ultimately lead others because love prevails over darkness. Listen to the words of Jesus and lets look at how we may as Paul states it, “be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so we may know how to answer everyone.”
Jesus said:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, or they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
This is a standard by which Paul received a revelation on how to conduct your life to others. Lets be a poor in spirit, meek, hungry and thirsty for right standing before God generation that loves others. Lets give our lives over to God so we may have the right answers to a world with questions.
2 Comments
OK so this is definitely the confirmation I needed about what I was quite sure God spoke to me last night at camp about. Starting Monday 7/18/11, I will be holding a bible study in my office at work. Please be praying that others show. I’m believing for God, the great physician, to be the true psychologist at Prestera.
Kristina
7/14/2011
Weeeee, what a quick and easy soluiotn.
India
8/19/2011
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