Day 182: NT Colossians C3-4 (END); Unity of Christ; Family; Masters; & Slaves.

How is one to interpret this—”Slaves, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service seeking to please men, but in singleness of heart from fear of the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it from the heart as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. Serve the Lord Christ. For he who does a wrong will reap the wrong he did, and there is no respect of persons…”

 

“Masters, give your slaves what is just and fair, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven… At the same time pray for us also, that God may give us an opportunity for the word, to announce the mystery of Christ (for which also I am in chains), that I may openly announce it as I ought to speak.”

Not only is this in the Bible but it is in the New Testament!

Is this being related to Paul in chains—a slave in prison? Or we are all slaves of the flesh until we are saved and let go of the sins that Christ released us from in the Resurrection?

Remember that Moses was a Hebrew slave born in Egypt.

All one can say is that the Word, the Scriptures in other parts of the Bible inspired leaders and followers to make slavery obsolete in the modern world.

But there are still slaves to sin within at times and all about too!

Another point of contention in the modern world:

“Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is becoming in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter towards them. Children, obey your parents in all things, for that is pleasing in the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, that they may not be discouraged.”

 

Love being the key word and highest standard of human conduct. How can you love someone and not treat them as an equal?

Find this love in the Unity of Christ:

“Strip off the old man with his deeds and put on the new, one that is being renewed unto perfect knowledge “according to the image of his Creator.” Here there is not “Gentile and Jew,” “circumcised and uncircumcised,” “Barbarian and Scythian,” “slave and freeman”; but Christ is all things and in all.”

Of course, beyond love and unity, it is individual “Salvation—Deliverance from Sin—Redemption” that we all seek in this life and beyond—True Spiritual Freedom!

“Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, patience. Bear with one another and forgive one another, if anyone has a grievance against any other; even as the Lord has forgiven you, so also do you forgive.”

“But above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection.”

“And may peace of Christ reign in your hearts; unto that peace, indeed, you were called in one body.”

“Show yourselves thankful.”

 

Be joyous in God’s Design of Life and grateful to have the opportunity to experience it day-by-day!

Amen! Al-le-lu-ia!!

 

Read and inspired by the New Testament, The Epistle of Saint Paul to the Colossians, Chapters 3–4 (END); XXX

Bible Notes:

Saint Paul, during his first Roman imprisonment, heard that some at Colossae were denying the supreme dignity of Christ. In this letter he points out that Christ is above all creatures and denounces anyone who would belittle Him. He adds that the new life of a Christian must be a break from his former life as a pagan.

Colossians Chapter 3: Mystical Death and Resurrection; Christian Renunciation of Vices; Practice Virtues; The Christian Family; Slaves and Masters

Mystical Death and Resurrection:

Therefore, if you have risen with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Mind the things that are above, not the things on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, your life, shall appear, then you too will appear with him in glory.

Christian Renunciation of Vices:

Therefore mortify your members, which are on earth: immortality, uncleanness, lust, evil desire and covetousness (which is a form of idol-worship). Because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the unbelievers, and you yourselves once walked in them when they were your life. But now do you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, abusive language and foul-mouthed utterances. Do not lie to one another, Strip off the old man with his deeds and put on the new, one that is being renewed unto perfect knowledge “according to the image of his Creator.” Here there is not “Gentile and Jew,” “circumcised and uncircumcised,” “Barbarian and Scythian,” “slave and freeman”; but Christ is all things and in all.

Mortify—to humiliate or shame, as by injury to one’s pride or self-respect—to subjugate (the body, passions, etc.) by abstinence, ascetic discipline, or self-inflicted suffering.

Immortality—immortal condition or quality; unending life—enduring fame.

“Salvation—Deliverance from Sin—Redemption”

Practice Virtues:

Put on therefore, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, a heart of mercy, kindness, humility, meekness, patience. Bear with one another and forgive one another, if anyone has a grievance against any other; even as the Lord has forgiven you, so also do you forgive.

But above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection.

And may peace of Christ reign in your hearts; unto that peace, indeed, you were called in one body.

Show yourselves thankful.

Let the word of Christ dwell in you abundantly: in all wisdom teach and admonish one another by psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing in your hearts to God by his grace. Whenever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

NOTE:   No mention of the third God of the Trinity—The Holy Spirit!

The Christian Family:

Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is becoming in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter towards them. Children, obey your parents in all things, for that is pleasing in the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, that they may not be discouraged.

Slaves and Masters

Slaves, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eye-service seeking to please men, but in singleness of heart from fear of the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it from the heart as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. Serve the Lord Christ. For he who does a wrong will reap the wrong he did, and there is no respect of persons.

Colossians Chapter 4: Prayer and Prudence; Tychicus and Onesimus; From Paul’s Co-Workers; A Message for the Laodiceans; Conclusion.

Prayer and Prudence:

Masters, give your slaves what is just and fair, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven…

At the same time pray for us also, that God may give us an opportunity for the word, to announce the mystery of Christ (for which also I am in chains), that I may openly announce it as I ought to speak.

Tychicus and Onesimus:

All my circumstances Tychius, our dearest brother and faithful minister and fellow-servant in the Lord will tell you… With him is Onesimus, our most dear and faithful brother, who is one of you.

From Paul’s Co-Workers:

Aristarchus, my fellow-prisoner, sends you greetings; so does Mark, Barnabas’ cousin…and Jesus who is called Justus… Epaphras, who is one of you… Luke, our most dear physician, and Damaas send you greetings.

A Message for the Laodiceans:

And say to Archippus: ”Look to the ministry which thou hast received in the Lord, that thou fulfill it.”

Conclusion:

I, Paul, greet you by my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.