March 15
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EPAPHRAS, THE EARNEST BOND-SERVANT OF CHRIST
12 Epaphras, who is one of your own, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, sends you his greetings, always striving earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and Demas does also. – Colossians 4:12-14
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Bible Gateway describes Epaphras as the man who was a giant in prayer and as Paul’s “fellow-servant” and “servant,” his “fellow-prisoner,” and a “faithful minister.” He was also Paul’s representative at Colossae where he had founded the church (Col. 1:7) and sought under Paul’s advice to combat prevalent heresies there. The apostle had affection for Epaphras, who ministered unto his need and the need of others.In this translation, he was referred to as a bond-servant. According to gotquestions.com, a bondservant is a slave. In some Bibles the word bondservant is the translation of the Greek word doulos, which means “one who is subservient to, and entirely at the disposal of, his master; a slave.”In Roman times, the term bondservant or slave could refer to someone who voluntarily served others. But it usually referred to one who was held in a permanent position of servitude. Under Roman law, a bondservant was considered the owner’s personal property. Slaves essentially had no rights and could even be killed with impunity by their owners. The Hebrew word for “bondservant,” ‘ebed, had a similar connotation.
Guzik comments that Paul called Epaphras a bondservant of Christ, using a phrase that he often applied to himself, but never to anyone else, except here and in Philippians 1:1 where he speaks of himself and Timothy together as bondservants of Jesus. Vaughn says that Epaphras was a bondservant, and prayer was an important area where he worked hard. Laboring fervently “is a free translation of echei polyn ponon, a phrase the key word of which (ponom) suggest heavy toil to the extent of pain.”
Paul commends Epaphras in this letter to the Colossian believers how blessed they are for having a minister who prays earnestly for their maturity and full assurance in Jesus Christ. He testifies to the deep concern that Epaphras have for his flock and those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis. He also mentions greetings from Luke, the physician and Demas.
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REFLECTION
• Why should all true believers consider themselves as bond-servants of Christ?
• How different is it to be a servant of Christ than of the world or any man?
Tag Archives: Christian devotional
MESSENGERS OF PAUL SENT TO ENCOURAGE THE COLOSSIANS ILMA’S VLOG
March 13
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MESSENGERS OF PAUL SENT TO ENCOURAGE THE COLOSSIANS
7 As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. 8 For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts; 9 and with him is Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your own. They will inform you about the whole situation here. – Colossians 4:7-9
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According to David Guzik’s commentary on this letter to the Colossians, Tychicus, a beloved brother of Paul, didn’t know who Tychicus was. He would carry this letter to them (v.9 indicates that he will inform them about the situation where Paul is. Guzik says that Epaphras, who brought the news from Colossae to Paul in Rome (Colossians 1:7) will not be able to return to them, so Paul sent Tychicus instead.
Tychicus was mentioned in Acts 20:4 as one of the men who came with Paul from the Roman province of Asia to Jerusalem, to carry the offering of those believers to the needy Christians of Jerusalem and Judea. According to Bruce, “The reference to Tychicus is almost word for word identical with Ephesians 6:21-22. He was evidently the bearer of the letter to the Ephesians as well as this one.”
In verse 8, we hear Paul’s great commendation about Tychicus. Paul sounded like he trusts him very well and that his presence will encourage the Colossian believers. It is amazing that while he is in prison, Paul was still thinking about the believer’s faith. He didn’t want them to be discouraged just because he was in prison.
Gotquestions.org says this: We may not know much about Tychicus, but what we do know is impressive and praiseworthy. Tychicus was a trusted messenger, faithful preacher, and loyal friend. Paul placed great confidence in him, sending him to accomplish important works. Tychicus obviously had the ability to minister in a variety of situations, bringing encouragement to those he served.
Onesimus was a slave owned by a believer in Colossae, but he ran away and came into contact with Paul in Rome. There, Onesimus became a Christian and a dedicated helper to Paul. His story is continued in Paul’s letter to Philemon.
I am amazed at how Paul manifested so much love and concern for the believers in Colossae. He had to sent these two messengers to ensure that they are not discouraged.
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REFLECTION
• How did Paul exhibit selflessness and love for the Colossian believers?
INSTRUCTION ON THE BELIEVERS’ PUBLIC LIFE ILMA’S VLOG
March 12
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INSTRUCTION ON THE BELIEVERS’ PUBLIC LIFE
5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6 Your speech must always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. – Colossians 4:5-6
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In these verses, Paul continues his instructions to the Colossian believers. In this part of his letter, he instructs them on the following:
1. To exercise wisdom towards people outside their faith or unbelievers
2. To make use of every chance they can to witness to those who do not know God
3. To speak graciously with gentleness and love
4. To be observant of other people so they can be wise in responding to each of them
How do you exercise wisdom to unbelievers? We can’t just be wise without outwardly manifesting it. Why is it important to especially watch yourself when you are with unbelievers? Because they watch every move we do. They want to see if we walk our talk. We need to convince them with our lives; that our faith is making Jesus attractive to them.
According to theologyofwork.com, the ancient city of Colossae was built on a major trade route through the Lycus River Valley in the Roman province of Asia Minor (in the southwest corner of modern-day Turkey). There the Co¬lossians manufactured a beautiful dark red wool cloth (colossinum) for which the city became famous. Their city was busy with trading and most people forget the focus on using connections with others as a way to bring the Good News. Most people are busy earning money and enriching themselves.
How do we become gracious in our speech and be attractive to others? We can’t be able to be gracious if we don’t know Christ. He is the epitome of grace and love. We need to be able to follow how Christ was abundant in grace and love. It is love that makes everything full of grace. Wright comments that “The word ‘grace’ has, in Greek as in English, the possible double meaning of God’s grace and human graciousness.”
To be able to observe others is a gift that comes with those who have walked in the Spirit.
As we become Christians, the Holy Spirit uses us as a vessel to be sensitive to others. He leads us away from “selfishness” to “selflessness.” It is only by depending on God’s Spirit
that we will see others the way God sees them. We can’t see others when we don’t truly love as Christ loves us.
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REFLECTION
• Why did Paul emphasized the importance of living a public life with integrity?
INSTRUCTION HOW TO SERVE YOUR MASTERS ILMA’S VLOG
March 10
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INSTRUCTION HOW TO SERVE YOUR MASTERS
22 Slaves, obey those who are your human masters in everything, not with eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord and not for people, 24 knowing that it is from the Lord that you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. 25 For the one who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality. – Colossians 3:22-25
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This letter to the Colossians gives instructions to the slaves and how to treat their human masters. All the letter of Paul to believers may have been addressed to the believers of his time, but these letters are also the same guidelines to all believers in our day and age.
Paul teaches the slaves or servants to be obedient to their masters in all things. In verse 22, Paul cautions those Colossian believers that they need to serve their masters not just to please them, but with a faithfulness and fear of the Lord. In other words, the act of serving is not a performance, but an act of love. In verse 23, Paul gives them the motivation to work for their masters as if they were not just working for humans, but for the Lord and in verse 24 he explains that when they do it for Him, they will receive the inheritance from the Lord himself. When they do it for the Lord Jesus Christ, they will serve their human masters well and they are following God’s law of love. In verse 25, Paul stresses the importance of accountability and the law of sowing and reaping. We are all responsible for our roles, and if we do not take full charge of our roles, we suffer the consequences of the lack of accountability for we have a good and just Father in heaven who rewards the righteous and punishes evil.
In the same manner, those who work for someone like their employers and bosses, the same principle goes for all believers. If we exercise honesty, integrity and hard work out of the law of love, we will reap rewards and blessings from the Lord Himself. Nowadays, it is a novelty to find people of integrity who would still do the right thing even though no one is looking. Even the way employees use company time for personal matters and concerns is not an unusual scene in a workplace. If we work for the Lord, we will always find a way to be honest. He sees everything we do anyway. If this principle of serving your employers or people in authority over you as if you were serving the Lord were followed by everyone, wouldn’t all workplaces thrive?
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REFLECTION
• Why is integrity and serving others key factors in having a joy-filled life?
INSTRUCTION FOR THE FAMILY ILMA’S VLOG
March 9
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INSTRUCTION FOR THE FAMILY
18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not become bitter against them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not antagonize your children, so that they will not become discouraged. – Colossians 3:18-21
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This letter of Paul to the Colossians gives clear-cut guidelines for the family of believers. In verse 18, Paul addresses the wives to submit to their husbands as they would submit to the Lord. Why is it so important that the wives surrender to their husbands? As Paul wrote the believers in Ephesus which was written in 49AD which was written ahead of this letter to the Colossians, he mentions that the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the church (Ephesians 5:23). Division and disunity in the marriage may occur as a result of the wrong order in the relationship as God intended it to be. Since the man is the head and not the wife. After the fall of Adam and Eve, one of the consequences of the sin on Eve’s part is that she will want to take control of her husband stated in Genesis 3. Paul reiterates the importance of the wife’s submission to the husband to ensure peace and harmony in the marriage.
In verse 19, the husbands are commanded to love their wives and ensure that they do not become bitter against them. The same guidelines were given to the Ephesians. Paul explains in-depth why. Ephesians 5:25-33 says that husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself for we are members of his body. “For this reason, a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” In that context, husbands will avoid letting bitterness creep into their marriage.
Once again, Paul instructs the children of Colossian believers as he did the Ephesians: to follow what their parents says in everything. This is important so they can learn surrender and submission to authority. Honoring your parents is the first commandment with a promise as he explains to the Ephesians. It leads to a life that is long and enjoyable. Then the fathers specifically got a very important instruction in verse 21. They must not provoke their children so that they will not be discouraged. Ephesians 6:4 says that children can be provoked to anger by the way they are treated. Fathers are instructed to bring them up with the discipline and instruction that comes from the Lord.
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REFLECTION
• Why do members of the family need to follow God’s guidelines?
STRIP OFF THE OLD AND PUT ON THE NEW SELF ILMA’S VLOG
March 6
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STRIP OFF THE OLD AND PUT ON THE NEW SELF
8 But now you also, rid yourselves of all of them: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene speech from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, since you stripped off the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created it— 11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, and free, but Christ is all, and in all.
-Colossians 3:8-11
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Paul continues to give them an exhaustive list of the things that lead to idolatry in this letter to the Colossians. Among these second list are the following
1. Anger- Strong emotional reaction of displeasure, often leading to plans for revenge or punishment. There are many words for anger in Hebrew; in Greek orge [ojrghv] and thumos [qumov”] are used more or less interchangeably.
2. Wrath- is a strong vengeful hatred or resentment. We can become consumed by rage and revenge to the point of acting irrationally and immorally. This is the wickedness of wrath and why it is included as a deadly sin.
3. Malice- means enmity of the heart, malevolence, a disposition to injure others-without cause, for mere personal gratification, or from a spirit of revenge. The word comes from the Latin word militia from the root word malus, literally meaning evil.
4. Slander- is an accusation maliciously uttered, with the purpose or effect of damaging the reputation of another. As a rule, it is a false charge (but it may be a truth circulated insidiously and with a hostile purpose
5. Obscene speech- means speech that is offensive to modesty or decency; indecent; lewd. Causing or intended to cause sexual excitement or lust or anything offending against recognized standards of propriety or good taste; vulgar.
6. Lie- is defined as a criminal falsehood; a falsehood uttered for the purpose of deception; an intentional violation of truth.
Paul stresses the importance of the believers to remove their old sinful ways and put on the new self in Christ Jesus. When one becomes a believer, he is being transformed into a creation like his creator Himself, he is being renewed. The old is gone and the new has begun. This renewed self sees all people without distinctions or prejudices.
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REFLECTION
• Why do we need to be aware of putting off the old and wear the new person?
ON HUMAN LAWS AND SELF-MADE RELIGION ILMA’S VLOG
March 3
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ON HUMAN LAWS AND SELF-MADE RELIGION
20 If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, 21 “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” 22 (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of man? 23 These are matters which do have the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and humility and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.
– Colossians 2:20-23:
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In this letter, Paul challenges the Gentile believers in Colossae to live a life of integrity. In verse 20, he questioned them about their bondage and submission to decrees and laws made by humans how and what they should do with their lives. He reminded them that if they have died with Christ when they became believers, why do they still follow human traditions and laws and not God’s law alone. In verse 21, Paul presents to the Colossian believers how these prohibitions about what they can and cannot handle, touch or not touch. Paul is targeting the tactics of these religious heretics who entice the believers with their own teachings and self-made religion and all kinds of rituals that actually oppose what God’s good news is.
Even though this letter is written to the Colossians who were surrounded by heresies and false teachers, we can clearly see it in our world today. So many religions, preachers, televangelists, megachurches that seemed like they are teaching the Good News, when they are actually giving you bad news. According to Wikipedia, there are 4, 200 different religions. There are 30, 000 Christian organizations (groups, branches, denominations) worldwide. This is exactly what Paul is referring to in verse 23 where these self-made religions were created by humans which seems to be leading you to heaven when they are actually leading you to hell. I had a share of my exposure to different Christian denominations that seemed to be teaching about Jesus, but is mixed up with the world systems and human traditions. Until I read the bible in-depth, I wasn’t able to discern which ones are teaching the true gospel and living it. This is why Paul were so concerned for believers being misled by these vultures, who wants to steal the faith of those who profess they want to commit to Jesus. In my experience as a new believer, I didn’t know the truth until I studied Scriptures in depth. The truth set me free.
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REFLECTION
• Why is it important for believers to study and meditate on God’s word?
WATCH OUT FOR DECEPTION, HUMAN TRADITIONS AND EMPY PHILOSOPHIES! ILMA’S VLOG
February 27
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WATCH OUT FOR DECEPTION, HUMAN TRADITIONS AND EMPY PHILOSOPHIES!
8 See to it that there is no one who takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception in accordance with human tradition, in accordance with the elementary principles of the world, rather than in accordance with Christ. – Colossians 2:8
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In this passage, Paul addresses the issue of the heresies that the Colossians were surrounded with during the time Paul was writing this letter. Like a protective father, he was doing his best to guard his flock, those believers that were assigned to him by God Himself.
While Paul had probably passed through Colossae on his second missionary journey, he didn’t found the church at Colossae — directly. Rather, it was founded by Epaphras, whom Paul mentions in this letter. So, it may have been Epaphras who reported to Paul what was threatening the church in Colossae: heresies and deception. Dr. Ralph Wilson states in his introduction to the Colossians that the heresy have the following elements: a belief system that was hollow and deceptive, based on human traditions not godly ones, elemental spiritual forces underlying the system, not a Christ-centered teaching, ascetic disciplines are encouraged, Jewish food restrictions followed, angel worship, visionary experiences are flaunted, proud false teachers, rule-keeping, Christ is being maligned, Gnosticism and Stoicism are practiced. David Guzik comments that the Colossian heresy promoted itself as traditional. It could trace some or many of its ideas back to traditions among the Jews or the Greek philosophers or both. Paul here warned that the tradition of men has no equal authority to the word of God.
The letter of Paul emphasizes the importance of the Gentile believers in Colossae to be watchful of these heresies that they are being attacked with. He wants them to focus their eyes on the teaching of Christ so that they will not be easy prey for these heretics.
It is interesting to hear from Paul his concerns with the Colossian church. Aren’t our current churches being faced with the same heresies from the world system and other philosophies, cultural and political traditions that are not Christ-centered and are mostly false and deceptive? So many believers have been led astray by these people who claim that they are teaching the gospel of Christ, when they are actually just using the name of Jesus to propagate their heresies and create much chaos and corruption in our world? Many spiritual leaders themselves are the ones instigating all these heresies.
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REFLECTION
• What can a true believer do in order to bring back to light those who are misled?
BE ESTABLISHED IN YOUR FAITH ILMA’S VLOG
February 26
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BE ESTABLISHED IN YOUR FAITH
6 Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, 7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. – Colossians 2:6-7
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Paul presents to the Colossians their responsibilities and what is expected of them when they accepted the Lord Jesus Christ. In verse 6, he admonished them to walk in Him. In other words, since we are given a new life in Christ, we are expected to follow and go by His teachings and truth.
In the gospel of Luke, we are given the criteria for being a follower or disciple of Jesus such as:
• They must be able to give up all the things they love and make Jesus their priority
• They must be ready to give up their lives for the sake of Jesus’ purpose
• They must be able to suffer or carry their cross
• They must be able to count the cost of being a believer
Luke was a close friend of Paul, who referred to him as “the beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14). Paul also refers to Luke as a “fellow laborer” (Philemon 1:24). Luke joined Paul in Troas in Asia Minor during Paul’s second missionary journey (Acts 16:6–11). Luke was left in Philippi during the second missionary journey (Acts 17:1) and picked up again to travel with Paul in the third journey (Acts 20:5). Luke accompanied Paul on his journey to Jerusalem and Rome and was with him during his imprisonment there (2 Timothy 4:11). He was a disciple of Paul but the way he explains the cost of being a follower is probably what it means to “walk with Jesus.”
Paul emphasizes in this letter to be rooted in Christ, which means to constantly abide in Him, following all his teachings and living the same life Jesus led for all believers to follow. Luke gives us a parable of the ten lepers in his gospel which focuses on the importance of gratitude and Paul resounds the same words to the Colossians.
We know that the writers of the bible were all inspired by the Holy Spirit and used by God to bring truth about Christ. According to Jonathan Petersen on his article on “When was each book of the Bible Written?” The gospel of Luke and the Letter to the Colossians were written in the same time period between AD 60-62. Luke must have been discipled by Paul himself and so we see how in sync they were in their teachings about Christ.
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REFLECTION
• Can you say that you are established in your faith in Jesus? Why or why not?
ASSURANCE OF YOUR FAITH IN CHRIST
February 25
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ASSURANCE OF YOUR FAITH IN CHRIST
For I want you to know how great a struggle I have in your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and that they would attain to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I say this so that no one will deceive you with persuasive arguments. 5 For even though I am absent in body, I am nevertheless with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your orderly manner and the stability of your faith in Christ.
– Colossians 2:1-5
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In this letter, Paul reminds the Colossians about how it is a struggle for him not be able to see them personally, but he still encourages them to continue in their faith. He tells them how important it is to be united and live-in harmony with one another in love. He brings them reminders of hope. Since Christ lives inside them, they will have the full assurance that all the mystery will slowly be revealed to them as they continue to abide in Jesus. In verse 3, he tells them that all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge can only be found in the teaching of God’s truth. If they cling to their faith and stand on God’s promises, they will never be deceived by anyone teaching them false gospel or teachings. They will be sure that their faith will grow and they will be securely grounded on Jesus’ love and truth.
David Guzik comments that Paul wanted to encourage the Colossians because he was concerned about their enthusiasm. He knew that discouraged, downcast Christians are easy prey for the world, the flesh, and the devil. Barclay comments that Paul uses the word “paraklein”. Sometimes that word means to comfort, sometimes to exhort, but always at the back of it there is the idea of enabling a person to meet some difficult situation with confidence and gallantry.” Paul wanted these Christians to be fit for heroic action.
It is impossible to grow in one’s faith if there is no assurance coming from the truth that Jesus gave up his life so that we can be free from the sin that separated us from God. No other human can bring that kind of stability in once life. Jesus is the stable foundation where we can anchor our hope and our lives.
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REFLECTION
• How can your assurance in Christ be shown in your life for others to see Jesus?