FBC Daily Devotions

⁷Tychicus will tell you all the news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord. ⁸I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our^[a] circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts. ⁹He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening here.

Back in the day, mail traveled via trusted messengers. Paul’s letters were delivered by trusted individuals who could give the people of Colossae (or wherever the letter had to be delivered) an update on how things were going in Paul’s neck of the Roman Empire.

They did more than deliver the mail. They could tell their audience firsthand how Paul was doing.  In verses 7-9 we meet two messengers who Paul refers to as “beloved brothers.” The first one is Tychicus and the second is Onesimus. We find both of these men mentioned in other places in the Bible.

This Tychicus is likely the same Tychicus who delivered Paul’s letter to the Ephesians. We also read about Tychicus in the book of Acts as someone who accompanied Paul in Acts 20.

Onesimus is interesting. In Colossians we read that Paul writes that Onesimus is “one of you.” Onesimus is a fellow resident of Colosse

But when Onesimus lived in Colosse he was a slave. We read about Onesimus in the book of Philemon. Paul became like a father to Onesimus while he was in Rome. Paul sends Onesimus back to Colossae with this letter and also the letter of Philemon which asks Onesimus’s former master to accept him as a brother.

We see that Paul is recognizing those who are delivering this letter. In the life of Onesimus we see someone who God changed to be “useful” for Him. Paul writes to Philemon, “Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me” (Philemon 11).

We can see that God uses people like Tychicus and Onesimus as part of his plan. Not everyone is going to be a Paul, or a “put your favorite Christian author here.” But God uses people like Paul, to come alongside people like Onesimus so that they can learn and grow in their faith.  Paul says that he became Onesimus’ father while he was in prison (Philemon 10).

Reading this passage makes me think of how the church can work: With older Christians coming alongside younger Christians or non-Christians, teaching and training them so that they can teach and train the next generation of believers.

While slavery is no longer legal today, it was a prominent feature of society in the first century AD. It was not at all like the slavery of America, but more along the lines of employment (albeit the idea of being a slave to work does not stir up any positive thoughts). For this reason, it is common (and I would agree) to apply this passage to our working relationship with our employer. I was kidding with Lyanne last week about changing the words of these passages to make it more personal. In the process, I could see how difficult these words must have been for the slaves of the first century. So just for kicks, let me try to rephrase these verses to drive home the emphasis a little more for each of us:

________________ (insert your name here), obey your supervisor in everything; and do it, not only when he/she is looking and to win his/her favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.

Note the attitude behind our good behavior: with sincerity (not two-faced) and out of reverence for the Lord. It is the Lord Christ whom we are serving.

Note how we are to work: with all our heart (even when no one is looking).

Note why we are to work this way: we will be repaid according to what we do.  

Three times in these four verses the idea that we work for God is stated. And it is for this reason our work ethic should be exemplary and full on for God. Not that God is a task master that we ought to work hard. Of course the passage does say that we will be repaid for doing wrong. The emphasis seems to be that we ultimately work for someone who we really want to please, namely God. That may not always be the case for our human employers. They can make our lives miserable at times. They can be mean-spirited and slave drivers. They can cause us to drag our feet, to give us bad attitudes, to want to stay in bed and only give an ounce of effort. But that’s a human supervisor. What about God? He has our best interest in mind; He does not give us more than we can bear; He desires to train us to become better servants; and He has an awesome retirement plan! When we begin to lose sight of our heavenly employer, we can begin to serve from a human perspective rather a heavenly one.

How is your attitude at work these days? Remember that we ultimately serve Jesus (incidentally, so does your supervisor). Let that truth govern the way you work. Work with all your heart. Work hard even when they aren’t looking. Be diligent because God has good things in store for those who do so.

 ¹⁸Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

 ¹⁹Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

 ²⁰Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

 ²¹Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

It is interesting that this week the passage addresses how one’s life should reflect the “clothing” of Christ in the home; interesting because I just taught a lesson from 1Peter 3 regarding this similar topic. And what I have seen in my studies is a pattern of this type of household behavior being commanded not just in Paul’s writings, but in Peter’s as well. Wives submitting to husbands; husbands loving their wives; children obeying their parents; slaves submitting to their masters; masters treating their slaves fairly. Why such order? 

I agree with those who believe our God is a God of order, that He has ordered the universe in a way that causes it (when all things are doing as intended) to work in a peaceful and effective way. All pieces of the “well-oiled machine” have specific roles and responsibilities; all pieces have certain functions to perform in order to keep things running in a way that is divine. When one piece fails to function as intended, all the other pieces are affected. When one piece wants to function as something other than its designed purpose, it brings confusion to the other pieces.

But we are a fallen creation. We often want what we aren’t to have. We often want to be what we weren’t intended to be. We don’t like our “assignments” or roles in life. So we take it upon ourselves to change that order rather than grow in the things of our intended purposes.

Why do I bring this up? I bring it up because this passage can be very divisive for some. The husband and the father are instructed to love their wives and treat their children in ways that may be unnatural and difficult. Some husbands don’t like to be told what kind of husband they should be. The same goes for wives. Some wives don’t like the idea of playing the submissive role in the marriage relationship. It feels demeaning. They feel like property. And what child likes to obey his or her parents? They often want to step across the line to see what it’s like on the other side. We all – children, husbands, wives, fathers (why no mention of mothers?) – sometimes want to take it upon ourselves to do what is outside of God’s intended purposes for our lives.

But who can’t relate to these commands of Paul? What wife doesn’t feel the strain that comes from the command to be submissive to her husband (even as a slave to a master – 1Peter 3:6)? What husband doesn’t feel the weight and burden of loving his wife (even as Christ loved the church – Eph. 5:25)? What father doesn’t struggle with bringing a work attitude (and its frustrations) into the home in the raising of children? These commands are given exactly because we need them. We need them in order to bring us out of the chaos of the fallen world and to make our lives a living testimony of God. If we will trust God in the roles He has given us, the world might look upon us as strange – even antiquated in our thinking. But they will see a harmony in our lives that transcends our culture. How can we communicate to the world that God’s ways really work? It really must start in the home. 

So what does it mean for a wife to be submissive? What does it mean for a husband to love his wife? And what does it mean for children to obey their parents in all things and for fathers not to exasperate them? These are tough questions. But I think the greater question is whether we are prepared to live in such a way that our treatment of one another unmistakably reflects these characteristics. Are wives willing to submit to their husbands in a way that they could be described as submissive? Are husbands willing to love their wives in such a way that they could be described as sacrificial and selfless in their love? Children… well, children are definitely a work in progress (but aren’t we all?)!

So that is my challenge for you today and for this week. Make up your mind to live the way God intended – even when it hurts! Really go for it this week, and see how things go at home. I truly believe that a submissive wife is easier to love, and a loving husband makes it easier for the wife to submit. I encourage you to try it even if your partner doesn’t cooperate or “return the favor”. The longer you are committed to living this way, the greater the rewards. And even if you don’t see the rewards in this life, know that it pleases God because ultimately you do it for Him not because your partner deserves it.

And when things get difficult, the verse leading up to this difficult section might be worth considering:

And whatever you do in word or ded, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father. (Col. 3:17)

And remember, God is a God of order, and He has ordered His creation to function as He designed. There is nothing more pleasing to God and more effective for living than doing things God’s way.

 ¹²Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

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Unpacking this passage reveals what seems nearly impossible! I mean, look at the character of clothing Paul lists:

• compassion
• kindness
• humility
• gentleness
• patience
• bearing with one another
• forgiving one another
• and most of all… love

Every one of these characteristics is a virtue that requires forethought, diligence, and alertness. Think about your life. How do you express compassion to those around you? What about kindness and gentleness? Are you humble in your view of others? What about patience – are you showing patience toward your co-workers or your spouse or your brothers & sisters? This is tough! Are you still carrying that grudge against that person that hurt you?

I like the fact that Paul says that we are to “clothe ourselves” with these things. When do you put on clothes? If you’re a typical person, you put them on first thing in the morning (or whenever you get up). Likewise, if we mentally put these things on before we start the day, it will prepare us for whatever challenges might come our way. Yesterday I suggested you write these characteristics down on a card and have it always in sight. Might I suggest you consider reflecting on these things in the morning before you head out? Think through the day… what is planned? A meeting? A difficult task? A difficult person? Put on gentleness and kindness (for example) first thing in the morning so that you will already be in a place to react appropriately. Be always ready to forgive. Have a mind to be patient even before your patience is tested.

The word for today is: Prepare. Prepare yourself by clothing yourself with these virtues first thing with the purpose of giving glory to God.

Well, it’s been a while since I last posted an entry. The weeks have been longer and busier than usual it seems as spring comes to a close. Actually, I think I’m just running out of steam! Our house project is now moving to the outside where the exterior needs to be prepped for painting, and the yard needs some heavy duty work. With Lyanne, only a few more days left of school! She is looking forward to a nice summer off to recoup from a difficult class (not to mention working fulltime). I think in all of this, I find it so true that while the body will not endure forever, the Word of God will. My body may not hold up well, and I may not be able to do everything I used to, but the Word will always be as strong and applicable as the day God spoke them into being.

This week we are looking at a shorter passage, but it is so full of some great truths for living. That does not make it easy, though, as you will undoubtedly see soon enough. Take a moment now and read the passage for this week:

Colossians 3:12-17 (New International Version)