Series in Colossians - The Life of Prayer and A Respectable Witness

 

The Life of Prayer and A Respectable Witness

Colossians 4:2-6

In this blog, I’ll cover two areas, prayer and our witness. There have been volumes of books, articles, and blogs on prayer: on the procedure, the length, and frequency of prayer. And our witness is how we act around others and how it affects our opportunities, our honor, and our respect to God our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ. 

In this lesson, Paul's admonition to the church falls into two categories: our personal devotional life and our use of wise behavior in our witness towards non-christians.  So let’s read the first portion of the text. “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 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. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.”

Devotion to God, the act of love and being continually steadfast and resolute in our prayer to God. Paul knew that prayer was one of the channels of communion he had with God, the other the scriptures. And because of this, Paul spent many hours in prayer as he sat in His prison room in Rome. 

First, he exhorts the church to be unwavering in devotion in their time of prayer, understanding that God hears every word and Jesus and the Spirit were interceding as well on behalf of the church’s needs. “But truly God has listened; he has attended to the voice of my prayer. Blessed be God, because he has not rejected my prayer or removed his steadfast love from me!” “For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words.” “First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” (Heb. 7:25; Rom. 8:26b; 1 Tim. 2:1-2 ESV)

Paul understood from scripture and the Spirit that he need to be watchful, attentive, and thankful to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ because he was never alone, for as God has promised,  “May the LORD our God be with us as he was with our ancestors; may he never leave us nor forsake us.” (1 Kings 8:57 NIV)

Paul had suffered for the name of Jesus and learned to be watchful (keeping awake) and attentive (diligent and mindful) of the Lord’s presence and the needs of the churches and always giving thanks to God for His promises and His assurance in their established faith. "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." “As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving" (1 Chr. 16:34; Col. 2:6-7)

Paul now asks not for himself but for the opportunity to share the gospel with clarity. For even in chains, he was not limited in opportunity but he wanted to proclaim the mystery of Christ effectively in advancing the message of salvation to the world.

Application - As I have grown older, I find myself in prayer far more, and in intercession for others. But it all begins with giving thanks to my Lord and God. For I wouldn’t be praying if it had not been for the rich mercy and grace of God, saving me by His grace and choosing me, not me choosing Him. “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.” (John 15:16)

So when I pray, like Paul, I should first give thanks to God the Father and my Lord Jesus Christ. And then I can pray in the Spirit as Paul exhorts all to do. “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” ( Eph. 6:18) In our prayers we should remember others, their needs, to pray for the sick, the lostness of the people around you, and especially for their protection from the wiles and schemes of the Devil and his minions. For they are always seeking an opportunity to attack the mind, heart, and even inflict sickness or pain if allowed by God. And we should never forget that our prayers must align with the will of God, as Jesus has taught us through the scriptures. “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” (1 John 5:14) After all of this, again give thanks to the Lord for His nearness, strength, and goodness. 

Years ago, I wrote a short phrase thanking God for His Son.

“Thank you, thank you, for giving your Son. He died on Calvary for me. Thank you, thank you, for giving your Son, for He alone is worthy.”

Next, we must pray for the opportunities to come for us to share our faith and the Word of God. For many this seems difficult, but it shouldn’t be. Let the Holy Spirit direct you, and then share what Jesus has done for you, who He is, and that He loves them and desires for them to come to Him, believe in Him, and receive the free gift of salvation by grace through faith in Him. Then let the Holy Spirit do what He alone can do, for He desires to do the Father’s work and will as well. “And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me.” “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on his own but will tell you what he has heard.” “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives.” “No one knows God's thoughts except God's Spirit. Only a person's own spirit can know everything that is in his thoughts. And it is the same with God. Only God's Spirit knows everything that is in God's thoughts". (John 16:8-9,13; Gal. 5:16a; 1 Cor. 2:11)

Second, Paul now exhorts the church to be discreet in behavior fitting for Christ. So let’s read the final portion of the text. “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.”

For in the church, there were those whose behavior didn’t lend to the purity and blamelessness of a life in Christ. For Paul had already reprimanded them in the letter about their previous ungodly lives, “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices.” (Col. 3:5-9)

They were to walk in the new life in Christ. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as theLord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” 

(vv12-14)

They were to use wisdom in their relationship, attitudes, and behaviors for it reflected the trueness of their hearts, minds, and life in Christ. Paul knew that opportunities were important and needed to be used wisely. "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is" (Eph. 5:15-17 NIV)

Next, Paul admonished the church to salt their conversation with grace, their speech was to be cultivated with godliness and reflecting the presence of the holy God that lived in them and through them. Then they could give an apt answer to questions and the reason for their faith.

Application - Wisdom isn’t just a mind thing, it is a life thing. Scripture is replete with examples of those who used wisdom and those who did not. The wise will exemplify the wisdom of God and it will shine like light in the darkness of this evil world. As opportunities open, let your life be the light of His Word. “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.” (Matt. 5:16 NLT)

God said through James, the brother of Jesus that “If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. But when you ask him, be sure that your faith is in God alone.” (James 1:5-6a NLT)

Yes, this world is evil and progressively getting worse as Jesus said it would. This is why we are to be as Jesus said, “I am sending you out like sheep with wolves all around you. Be wise like snakes and gentle like doves. (Matt. 10:16 NLV)

and “As long as it is day, we must do what the one who sent me wants me to do. When night comes, no one can work.” (John 9:4 CEV)

As Paul and Peter exhorts us to let our conversations be salted (purified and wholesomeness). Peter put it this way, “...And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ.” (1 Pet. 3:15b-16)

As spoken earlier, the Holy Spirit will give you the words to speak, “don’t worry about defending yourselves—what you’ll say or how you’ll say it. The right words will be there. The Holy Spirit will give you the right words when the time comes.” (Luke 12:11b-12)

In closing this lesson, remember it is Jesus we are serving, and He has given us all that we need through prayer and the Holy Spirit. So whatever we do it is the Lord God working through us. “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” “making you complete in everything good so that you may do his will, working among us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen." (Col. 3:23-24; Phil. 2:13; Heb. 13:21 NLT)

I’m again including the ABC’s of salvation for all those who have not yet received Jesus Christ for salvation. For Jesus, God the Son, came to this world to save all who would believe and trust in him. He desires to reveal himself to you, He is the Light that overcomes the darkness of this lawless world. He hears your prayers, and all authority in heaven and earth have been given to him. He will answer you if you will truly believe. If you haven’t asked him to be your Lord and Savior, today could be that day.

 First, A - Admit that you are a sinner. This is where that godly sorrow leads to genuine repentance for sinning against a righteous God and there is a change of heart, we change our mind and God changes our hearts and regenerates us from the inside out. Romans 3:10 - As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one." Romans 3:23 - For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (We are all born sinners which is why we must be born spiritually in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven). Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The bad news is that the wages of sin is death, in other words our sin means that we have been given a death sentence, we have the death penalty hanging over our heads, that's the bad news. But here's the good news: The good news is that the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 2:8-9 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith —and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Second,

 B - Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and that God raised Jesus from the dead. This is trusting with all of your heart that Jesus Christ is who he said he was. Romans 10:9-10 - That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. Third, 

C - Call upon the name of the Lord. Every single person who ever lived since Adam will bend their knee and confess with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Lord of lords and the King of kings. Romans 14:11 - For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God." Don't wait until later — do this now. Romans 10:13 - For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." "O God, I am a sinner. I'm sorry for my sin. I want to turn from my sin. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son; I believe that He died on the cross for my sin and that He was buried and You raised Him to life. I have decided to place my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior, trusting only in His shed blood as sufficient to save my soul and to take me to heaven. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen."

Please share this with someone this week, the Lord knows that we and they need it.

If you would like other lessons, please go to http://pmdinhisservice.blogspot.com 

Until next week, In His Service Mike Davis

I have revised my webpage on Spiritual warfare. Please give it a look. Thank you. http://uss-warfare3.webnode.com