April 4th, Saturday: Colossians 3-4

Col 3
Having laid the doctrinal foundation, Paul now makes the personal application.
For truth is something to live as well to learn.

'Put to death.' he says.
In Christ you've died to the old life and then raised to a new life.
So make the new life the focus of your attention.
Set your mind on it.
Seek to experience all that you can have in Christ.

And then we are to put off.
Like Lazarus, you must get rid of the grave-clothes that belong to the old life.
By faith, put off the old sins that bound you.
Christ has set you free!

And finally put on.
God wants you to wear the grace-clothes, not the grave-clothes.
If your focus is on things heavenly, you will obey God and things on earth, especially in your relationship with others.

Col 4
Praying.
Prayer involves a persevering will, an alert mind and a grateful heart.
Our requests should be specific and related to the ministry of the Word.
Paul asks not for an open prison door, but for an open door for ministry.

Witnessing.
The unsaved are outside the family of God, and it is our task to bring them in.
Effective witness involves walking wisely – being alert to every opportunity and being careful in what we say and how we say it.

Informing.
Paul did not hesitate to share his needs with others, because he depended on their prayer support..
Do you pray for Christian leaders in places of importance?
Well, they need it.

Serving.
Paul names 6 men who were working at his side and encouraging him in the Lord.
See – even an apostle cannot get the job done alone.
And how grateful he was for the saints serving faithfully in Colosse.