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Being called to serve, we respond with gratefulness and with Christ’s loving care, we are called to serve for God’s purpose. Simply put, purposeful serving is a natural response for what you have received.
The Apostle Paul and his coworker Timothy wrote this letter to the church at Colossae,a small city in Asia Minor (modern Turkey). Paul had not visited Colossae, but had received reports from Epaphras, the missionary who most likely founded the church there (1:7). This epistle is an extension of Paul’s tender-hearted gratitude for these Colossians, as having received Christ — God’s grace is salvation — God’s perfect merciful blessing for humanity. With God’s mercy, we haave received Christ, we are children of God, rooted in Christ. And being rooted, established in the faith, we live in the likeness of Christ in ways that go beyond mere behavior or appearance.
Paul knew how persuasive words can be and how quickly a sugar-coated doctrine can cause the saints to stumble or stray from the truth, into the satanic trap of deception, laid by these false teachers. But his letter was designed to keep these believers focused on the truth, steadfast in their faith, and looking to Jesus. Paul may have not been physically present with these new believers, but he was with them in his heart and in his spirit, and he rejoiced to see that they were united together in the truth of the glorious gospel of God.
Being rooted in Christ Jesus, we are strengthened in unity and in the truth as we are called to serve. Through this practice, we become heightened with that unshakable faith God desires. The Holy Spirit works through us, renews our spirit, transforms our life, guiding us into a better and stronger faith journey. And with that is our mission: to increasingly connect with God and with each other. God allows that connection possible in ways only God makes possible for his intentionality. Therefore, we cannot overlook the greatness of God’s love given to us in ordinary or extraordinary circumstances because God’s grace is sufficient in all things.
No matter what problems we meet and no matter what situations we may have to face, whether political, philosophical, religious, legalistic, economical, mystical or any other perversion of the truth — Paul’s letter is a reminder for some and affirms for most that living our life in Christ is God’s grace. For we live in perilous times even as continuing false teachings abound with those who reject truth for a better world. When we find ourselves confronted with unbiblical doctrine, hatred, racial slurs, increasing denial for health and safety practices, remember — continue to live your lives in Jesus and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. Amen.
Rev. Carole, Assistant Pastor
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