Colossians 4:1-18
4:1 A continuation of the previous chapter: whenever we interact with another person, we must hold ourselves responsible for exuding and exhibiting justice. Paul's encouragement is for us to remain humble, continuously aware that creation, divine-universe is a greater manifestation than we are. To bend toward It in awe more than submission, hoping to exemplify its modest ways.
4:2 Paul gives us three directives with which to not only maintain our faith but to utilize its benefits.
- Continue Earnestly in Prayer: Your faith is your channel to God and therefore be steadfast in it. We cannot constantly jam or block our connection with God with wavering acknowledgement of His philosophy. In joy and sorrow we must be present with our faith. Moreover our faith flies only on the wings of earnest: sincerity, commitment.
- Vigilant in Prayer: We must be faithfully observant and perceptive. Answers to our questions are being spoken to us, but only a keen ear listens. The universe is communicating with you in its subtle ways, prodding you along a path. Therefore be perceptive of your steps.
- Thanks-Giving: With awe and humility discover our miraculous earth. Let wonderment inspire you into gratitude. We are given this opportunity to witness and participate on a meticulously curated planet. Find gratitude for elements within your life for gratitude spawns opportunity. Even when we are not where we want to be or perhaps deserve to be, have gratitude in even the opportunity to redirect our lives. You will find that you have help when you acknowledge the generous and capable company of the universe.
4:3-4 Pray for this philosophy to proliferate for compassion begets compassion and justice begets justice. Pray for the conditions under which portals of faith can spawn. We at times grow frustrated with our world but instead of putting a vexed energy into the world, put out an energy of hope.
4:5 Walk in wisdom no matter who you are among. The wisdom of this philosophy: to express, promote, inspire, and defend impartial justice and humble compassion. Your behavior has an impact on the people around you, what you put out into the earth is, though perhaps invisible to you, quite present and tangible to others (even if it only occurs after a bit of time).
4:6 In addition to walking with wisdom, whenever you vocalize your thoughts, do so with grace and faith. For the frequent moments of life during which right and wrong, good and bad are difficult to discern or choose, allow your foundation of faith to direct you. Our faith gives us the spark of knowing what we must do. Our must what is in accordance with our core values rather than a rash, in-the-moment, reaction or response. We are guided but ultimately, we make the choice of direction. Paul advises us to listen to our must, and then speak.
4:7-9 Through a network of fellow-workers of God, news of Paul's imprisonment (from which he writes) reaches people like the Colossians, Romans, Corinthians and Philippians.
4:10-11 Paul speaks of those around him, helping and enduring his circumstances alongside him.
4:12-15 Paul gives the Colossians hope through his assurance that they are being zealously prayed for. A zealous prayer is a broad channel, a spacious connection with God. Zealous prayers are boldly heard.
4:16-17 Push this philosophy outward. We are meant through our speech and behavior to teach this philosophy to the earth around us. We are not meant to push this philosophy onto anyone. Let your compassion and your serenity be the speaker, the teacher. This philosophy is based on freedom of choice, always remember that as you humbly interact with others.
4:18 Remember my chains...why does Paul tell us this? There is a double meaning: Paul's physical body is bound by humans. Paul himself bound his soul to Spirit. Remember Ephesians 3:1,
It is interesting yet not peculiar that Paul would describe himself as being captive to Jesus. After all, learning and absorbing His philosophy of life is a captivating experience. Paul adds "...for you..." and this is similarly intriguing because though not often described in such terms, we actually enlist to do God's work for the benefit of humanity. As there are no spiritual boundaries, within the "prison" of God is a truly freeing place to be. From within boundlessness, we are kept away only from adversity. Locked away from it! Certainly we can be appreciative of those bars.
Remember what chains truly bind you. Do not allow yourself to be bound by the desires and indulgences of this world. This cycle of procuring material, wealth and power and feeding insatiable greed is a prison which mutes and disallows a nourished soul. Paul is imprisoned but through the tethers of his faith he is unafraid, Philippians 4:11. Claps the chains of unbreakable serenity, solemnity, compassion and life around your own wrists... your own soul.
