Colossians 4:7-17

Colossians 4:7-17    Tychicus will tell you all the news about me.  He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in the Lord.  I am sending him to you for the express purpose that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts.  He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear brother, who is one of you.  They will tell you everything that is happening here.  My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.)  Jesus, who is called Justus, also sends greetings.  These are the only Jews among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to me.  Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings.  He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured.  I vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and Hierapolis.  Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas send greetings.  Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house.  After this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea.  Tell Archippus: “See to it that you complete the work you have received in the Lord” (NIV).

   I like the closings to Biblical epistles!  Many contain the names of people and places which give an exclamation mark to the fact Christianity consists of the family of God.  That is why the terms brothers and sisters are used.  True Christianity necessitates a relationship with Jesus, and receiving Jesus means being adopted into the family of God (John 1:12-13).  And Jesus enables us to be in loving family relationships.  A number of those family relationships are challenging, sometimes even hurtful, yet they are legit.
   A key insight into the family of God here concerns Onesimus.  That man left Colossae as a runaway slave, yet thanks to Jesus he returned to Colossae a brother in Christ.  Paul calls him a brother, going so far as to state Onesimus is “one of you.”  We learn further of how Paul stated Onesimus was no longer a “slave” rather a “brother,” in the letter which is Scripture which Paul gave Onesimus to give Philemon when they arrived in Colossae.  Christianity is about the dignity of every human being, since we were all made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27).  The Bible is not advocating slavery.  The Bible is giving an invitation to join a forever family.
   I close by stating the obvious: Christianity is not one big happy family in this world.  Among Christians, there are sadly ample divisions and ample sins, which always lead to hurt.  Yet all people who have received Jesus in their hearts are ever growing in the love and knowledge of Jesus.  And one day when we are all in heaven, the family of Jesus will be perfectly loving, for real.
Hunter Irvine