Scripture: “I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally.”
Observation: This seems to be a self-serving statement on its face. After all, Paul is making a point about how hard he is working. However, the conventions for how a leader communicated in writing in the first century Jewish and Roman worlds are not the same as they are today. Perhaps as the leader, Paul needed to inspire and emphasize his dedication and commitment. That said, I find something that inspires me in Paul’s example today.
Contending. This is the activity Paul is hard at work doing. Contending is “strenuously working for the good” of a cause, goal, doctrine, objective… some good. The letter of Jude contains the famous urging to “contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people.” Contending carries a sense of defending as well as advancing.
What inspires me today is Paul’s example of who he is contending for. He lists expanding circles of concern. First, the Colossian Christians themselves. He’s addressing them. They are at the forefront of his mind at present and the letter itself is part of his contending—working for their good—to advance the Gospel and Christ’s work in them.
Second, “those at Laodicea.” It was a neighboring town and perhaps the letter is to be sent there next. Regardless, mentioning them indicates that Paul sees a larger world than simply one church in one town, as important as the Gospel in Colossae is. His heart is for Christ’s church wherever it may be.
Finally, “for all who have not met me personally.” Paul is certainly contending for his friends and those he has met in person. But his concern is not limited to them. There are plenty of believers in Colossae and Laodicea who he does not know and has not met personally. But this doesn’t matter. Paul is just as concerned for the faith of strangers. In fact, this is a wonderful demonstration of the kinship of believers that makes strangers into persons of intimate concern, worthy of Paul strenuously working for their good in Christ.
Application: Who is naturally in my circle of concern? Who might God want to place on my heart for the cause of Christ?
Prayer: Lord, when we were estranged, you brought us near and made us friends. Give us hearts like yours. Amen.
“But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” (Matthew 13:23)
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We have been taught as Christians to expand our prayers and petitions to include others, many personally unknown to us....”those in need, those suffering from illness, those in mourning” and the like. Is this letter the basis of our Christian prayer habit? I hadn’t given it much thought before, it is automatic.