Rules & Reminders
Previously we discussed rules for holy living as Paul continues his letter to the church at Colossae. Rules, rules, and more rules! Why do we need so many rules?
Read Colossians 3:18-4:6
- One of God’s most precious gifts to this earth is the family unit. Go back to Genesis 2:18ff. What did God saw about man during creation?
- How do you react to the following formula: 1 + 1 = 1? Why is this formula key to a marriage success?
- Note: 1 + 1 + 1= 1 (One Lord + One Faith + One Baptism = Eternal Life) Used during an opening devotion in my grandson’s grade school class.
- Let’s review some of the key points Paul provides for the husband and wife.
- Husband _____________your wives. Do not be ________________with them.
- Wives ____________to your husbands, as is ___________to the Lord.
- The verbs love and submit are keys to understanding God’s marriage plans. The Greek word for love used here is agapao. There are four different Greek words for love, only three of which are used in Scripture. Based on the definition, how would you describe how a husband must love his wife?
- Agape: The love that is from God to His creation.
- Eros: Physical love between a man and a woman
- Philos: Brotherly love.
- Storge: Mutual affection like a parent to child; king to his subjects
- Wives are to be submissive (hupatasso) or subordinate. While 21st century people find this difficult to accept, how are Christian wives to act toward their husband? Relate the wife’s relationship to her husband as the church is responsive to the agape love of God.
- Fathers (and mothers) have a significant responsibility when it comes to raising their children. Children are to obey their parents, but fathers are told NOT to embitter their children, so they don’t become discouraged. What terms could be used to define the “right” relationship between a father/mother to their children?
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- Verse twenty-two and following talk about relationship between slaves and their masters. While much of the world today does not have slavery, what other relationship could these rules apply?
- Regardless of our station in life – husband, wife, father, mother, child, boss, and employee – we have a responsibility to “work at it with all your heart.” What should be our motivation behind our actions?
- Chapter 4:2-6 provides a summary of reminders to God’s Church and His people.
- What is our first devotion (verse 2) __________________
- For what (and whom) are we to pray ___________________
- Why should we pray for the spreading of the Gospel when God is in charge and knows full well where and when the Spirit will move?
- Paul concludes this section with key reminders and suggestions regarding our Christian service and actions.
| Reminder | Results |
| Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders | |
| Make the most of every opportunity | |
| Let your conversation be always full of grace | |
| Seasoned with salt |
As Christians our seasoning is key to our value. Go back to Mark 9:50. What does the gospel writer say about salt?
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Our spiritual understanding is our “seasoning with salt” so to speak. Without spiritual understanding and putting it to use, salt loses its flavor and become useless.
Heavenly father help each of us to be watchful and thankful in all that we do. Thank you for the rules and reminders for our daily lives so that we may show that Christ is in us to those who may not know Jesus as their Savior. Keep us in your Word to maintain our seasoning and preserve our faith until you call us to our final destination. In Your Son’s name, Amen.