Christ in Colossians | Diverse and Unified – Colossians 4:7-17
At the end of Paul’s letters to the churches, he greets those he writes and the letter to the Colossians church is no exception here. Yet, most of us skip these sections of scripture as merely boiler plate issues and matters only pertaining to the Colossians church. As we read scripture, we must approach it in the understanding that all scripture is God breathed, even the portion we may not fully understand. The final segment of Paul’s letter to the Colossians church continues in the message of the book. As followers of Jesus Christ, we participate in a generational faith that transcends boundaries of age, race, and other forms of division. Christ is preeminent. Jesus comes before all things and everything falls under His divine and righteous purpose.
“Tychicus will tell you all about my activities. He is a beloved brother and faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here. Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark the cousin of Barnabas (concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him), and Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me. Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. And say to Archippus, “See that you fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”
Colossians 4:7-17, ESV
A Motley Crew
The names Paul gives would have been easily identifiable by the Colossian church. Yet, for our context, we need further explanation. Paul lists a diverse group of people, calling them by name. He mentions, prisoners, slaves, physicians, ministers, and various other persons to either receive them in fellowship or heed their teachings. Some came from devout Jewish backgrounds, having been circumcised accordingly, while others came from gentile background, being grafted in to the family of believers. Likely, this group would have looked highly diverse and at times scruffy. The outside culture would have seen them worshipping and doing life’s togetherand wondered what unified such a strange and motley crew. Despite their differences, their unity would testify tothe sovereignty of Jesus Christ. All of them came from various different backgrounds. Yet, none of this would serve to disqualify people from membership in the church and stand unified by the blood of Jesus Christ who declare death victory before all things.
In today’s age, the world feels more divided than ever. What is worse is we seem willing to continue to widen the rift as we judge others differently from ourselves. Christ, being preeminent over all things, transcends all issues of race and background. The power of Christ moves in all people regardless of where they came from. We, who follow Christ, allow the grace of God to move through us by welcoming all people, without judgment towards their background. All are welcome to experience the grace, redemption, and sanctification that comes from being in the presence of God. He alone is the unifying King who reigns sovereign over all and before all.
Unified Under Jesus Christ
Only highlighting the diversity of the people would miss the beauty of the unification of the body of Christ that Paul gives in this final portion his letter. Despite every difference of background, and creed, Paul demonstrates a unity among the body of Christ. Everyone’s background is a non-issue to Paul who understands that the family is rooted in the Lordship of Jesus Christ. So Paul openly encourages prayer for people he undoubtedly argued with on numerous occasions because, although they may debate doctrine and practice, they are first and foremost children of the most High King. They supported one another. They spoke up for one another and welcome down one another on the word of another. They were bound together by the unendingly grace and love of Jesus Christ and out of this unity, the Kingdom flourished in the face of oppression and persecution.
From my experience, while we understand the importance of evangelism,the witness of our relationship with Christ is marred by our lack of grace towards each other. We treat the sin of a believer as terminal rather than as an opportunity to dive deeper into the Gospel togetherness. We refuse to forgive someone their past and hide the skeletons from rom our own closet. If we are to survive as the body, we must stand in the preeminence of Christ who surpasses any sin and obstacle. The body of Christ must show the same grace to those inside and outside as we understand that God’s sanctifying work is both necessary and eternally good news. Therefore, extend grace to the believer. Work through personal preferences together. Join with one another in mission to share the good news of the Gospel that Jesus saves us from our sins and gives us a new hope and a future.
