Colossians 3:18

Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything, with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters. You know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for their wrongs, and there is no favoritism.

Colossians 4

Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair, because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 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. Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation always be full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister, and a fellow servant in the Lord. I am sending him so that you may know about our circumstances and so that he may encourage your hearts. He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you.

They will tell you everything that is happening here. My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. You have received instructions about Mark; if he comes to you, welcome him. Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings.

These are the only Jews among my coworkers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you so that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.

I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis. Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings. Give my greetings to the brothers and sisters at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.

After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea. Tell Archippus, ‘See to it that you complete the ministry you have received in the Lord.’ I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand. Remember my chains. Grace be with you.

Introduction

This is the last message in our study of Colossians. Throughout the letter, Paul has taught us that ‘It’s All About Christ!’ The message and ministry of the church center on Jesus Christ. The church must remain focused on Him and live freely in Christ rather than according to the false teachings of this world.

We are free in Christ to live in a right relationship with God the Father. This final passage teaches that we are also free in Christ to live in right relationships with those involved in our daily lives, with unbelievers, and with the family of God. We are well on the way to living the life God created us to live when Jesus Christ is the filter through which we view the world.

Colossians 3:23-24 is a key passage that we must apply to our lives daily: ‘Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.’

Whatever we do, we must do it with all our hearts, as though we are doing it for the Lord Jesus Christ. It is Jesus Christ whom we are serving. We are to honor Christ in who we are and what we do. We are to allow Him to direct how we interact with others. If Jesus is the cornerstone of our behavior, then our foundation is built on the Solid Rock and not on sinking sand.

Colossians 3:18-4:1

We are free in Christ to live in right relationships with those involved in our daily lives. In Colossians 3:18-4:1, Paul explains how a life centered on Jesus Christ should shape relationships within the household, including relationships between husbands and wives, parents and children, and enslaved people and masters.

Paul writes specifically about how believers are to relate to their loved ones. Wives are to submit to their husbands as is fitting in the Lord, and husbands are to love their wives and not be harsh with them. Children are to obey their parents. The head of the home is Jesus Christ, and each person is to honor Him.

The husband and wife are to love each other as Christ loves the church, putting the needs of the other before their own. Children are to obey their parents and follow them as their parents follow Christ. Paul specifically instructs fathers not to embitter their children. This principle can also guide both parents as they encourage and discipline their children.

The home will flourish as each person serves Christ wholeheartedly and interacts with others in a manner that honors Him.

Paul’s instructions directly addressed enslaved people and slaveholders in the Roman world. Although slavery is not equivalent to modern employment, this passage also provides principles that can guide Christian employees and employers today.

The principles in this passage encourage believers to work sincerely and wholeheartedly, as though serving the Lord. We should do our best because it is ultimately the Lord whom we serve and from whom we receive our reward. Our lives can then testify to coworkers and supervisors who are not believers that Jesus Christ makes a difference in us.

There will be times when we are treated unfairly. We are not to become consumed by anxiety, because the Lord will bring justice. He will repay wrongdoing without showing favoritism.

Paul also tells believing masters to provide what is right and fair, remembering that they too have a Master in heaven. Those who exercise authority are accountable to Jesus for how they treat others.

Colossians 4:2-6

We are free in Christ to live in right relationships with unbelievers. In Colossians 4:2-6, Paul shows us that we must be prepared to share with unbelievers the reason for our relationship with Jesus Christ. Our starting point is to be properly aligned with the heart of God.

Devotion to prayer, watchfulness concerning what is happening around us, and a thankful heart center our hearts and minds on Jesus Christ. We can then pray for doors of opportunity to open so that we may share our faith with others. Paul is our example of one who asked for open doors so that he could share the mystery of Christ even while he was in chains.

We are told to be wise in the way we act toward outsiders and to look for opportunities to share our faith with them. When we speak in a manner that reflects Christ, our words will be full of grace and different from other voices. Our speech should be seasoned with salt so that it preserves what is good, brings healing, and draws out what is best in each situation.

We are to represent Christ at all times. When we bring wisdom, openness, grace, and goodness into a conversation, we will be better equipped to answer everyone we encounter.

Colossians 4:7-18

In the final verses of Colossians, we read about how believers are free in Christ to live in right relationships with those in the family of God.

Paul gives examples of Christians who are serving Christ and serving one another. Each person gives himself or herself to benefit others and help them grow in their relationship with the Lord. This is how we are to relate to one another in the church today.

Epaphras is mentioned as one who was ‘always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.’ He is a wonderful example of a believer devoted to Jesus and concerned that others grow into mature relationships with Him.

When believers follow this example, they make service to Jesus Christ a top priority. They also seek to do all they can to help others fulfill their callings in Christ.

Application

Jesus Christ is our Savior and Lord. We must follow Him with the entirety of our being. When He is the center of our hearts’ affection and our minds’ attention, we are rightly positioned in our relationship with God. When we live according to our theme, ‘It’s All About Christ!’ we are free to live rightly in our relationships with those in our daily lives, with unbelievers, and with the family of God.

You can find true success in life and become the person God wants you to be as you live for Jesus. ‘It’s All About Christ!’ May the Lord find us faithful.

Prayer

Dear Jesus, please be the center of my life. I want to honor You in all of my relationships. Please help me to be the person You want me to be. Open doors of opportunity for me to share Your love with others. In Jesus’ name, amen.

For You to Consider

• How can a wife submit to her husband, and how can a husband love his wife, in a manner that honors Christ?
• List three ways you can be a witness of the love of Christ to those at your place of work.
• What must you do to be prepared to share your testimony with an unbeliever?
• How can you help other believers grow in their love for Jesus?
• What will you do this week to make the theme of Colossians, ‘It’s All About Christ!’ the focal point of your heart and mind?